The Mobile PDR is by far the worst PDA application that I have used to date. I even spent extra time using this database looking for something positive to say in this review. As you will read, I was not successful at all. I encountered multiple problems with program functionality. This is also the most restrictive of the free PDA drug databases available to the Jefferson community.
This database includes two integrated modules: Drug Lookup and Drug Interactions. The Mobile PDR also has an auto update feature tied into syncing your PDA. With this feature, news on the latest drug updates and other pertinent information is downloaded directly into the program. The information provided in this database is obtained from the Physician's Desk Reference, which is not--in my professional opinion--the best resource for drug information.
As for system requirements, it is stated that a Palm OS device needs 4.9 MB of free PDA memory. This is the largest requirement of any drug database that I have used. However, this is an understatement of the amount of free memory actually required. I needed over 5.5 MB of free memory, and still could not load the full module in one download (further details later). There is no listed requirement for Pocket PC users. I was unable to test this on a Pocket PC, so I cannot evaluate its functionality on this platform.
My problems with the Mobile PDR started immediately upon trying to get access to it. Free access is limited to individuals in full time practice with prescribing rights (i.e. physicians, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners). For those who do not fit into this group, and that includes medical students, a different version of the database, called PDRugs, is available for purchase from Skyscape for $49.95. The information on Skyscape's site leads me to believe that this is a stripped down version of the Mobile PDR.
Medical Economics, the producer of the Physician's Desk Reference and the Mobile PDR, was kind enough to grant me a 30-day free trial. This turned into a 10-day free trial. Repeated attempts to download the full version of this program over a phone modem failed every time. I called their Customer Service number for assistance, only to find out that they were not available during their listed evening hours. Furthermore, this is the only PDA application that I've used that required customer service contact. I feel that the average person would have given up by this point, but I was determined to complete my review of the product.
I managed to figure out, on my own, that I would have to load the two modules separately in order to get the download to work. However, this led to further problems. Since the minimum requirements for memory were not accurate, I had to uninstall many applications from my Handspring Visor (with 8 MB of internal memory and an 8 MB flash card). Many of these were applications I use on a regular basis. In addition, the Drug Interaction module failed to work when downloaded separately. Therefore, the Mobile PDR was not a fully functioning database and did not contain vital information that all of the other PDA drug databases I have used, including Mobile Micromedex, ePocrates, and the Tarascon ePharmacopoeia, were able to provide.
As far as accessible content, none of the information in the Mobile PDR is unique. Mobile Micromedex, ePocrates, and the Tarascon ePharmacopoeia provide at least the same content and, in some cases, even more information. All three of these databases are also free to everyone in the Jefferson community.
In conclusion, the Mobile PDR is a memory hog for Palm OS users and is very difficult to download over phone lines. Medical Economics is also very restrictive regarding free use, while charging too much to others for a potentially inferior product. With a non-accessible drug interaction module, it does not function as promised and fails to provide any unique features (i.e., not found on other PDA drug databases). Therefore, I suggest that you save a lot of headaches and skip over the Mobile PDR.
In the future, I do hope that Medical Economics is able to provide an improved product and that they'll become a little less restrictive regarding access by students and others in healthcare.
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