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Research

  
 

Use of Personal Digital Assistants Among Dietitians in Oklahoma
A study by Peggy Turner, MS, RD

ABSTRACT:

Objective
To assess the utilization of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) among dietitians in Oklahoma.

Design
An anonymous survey was mailed to 648 Oklahoma-based dietitians who were current active members of the American Dietetic Association.

Subjects
Three hundred and twenty-one volunteers returned the survey. Subjects included dietitians and dietetic students.

Statistical Analysis
Response rate was determined. Frequency and percent of responses to each category for each survey question was determined. Users and non-users were compared on selected demographic variables with Chi-square test.

Results
The response rate was 49.6%. Twenty-four percent of responders currently use a PDA. No statistically significant difference was found between users and non-users for age (p=0.203), income (p=0.54), or length of time registered (p=0.291). A statistically significant difference was found between users that worked full-time verses those that work part-time (p=0.013). PDA non-users that had previously tried using a PDA (15.3%) discontinued PDA use because they did not find them useful; 93.6% of non-users that had not previously tried using a PDA indicated that they would use a PDA if it could help them save time and 87.7% would use a PDA if it could help them reduce errors. Users identified Address/Contacts (91%), Calendar/Datebook (87.2%), Calculator (87.2%) and Memo/To Do List (74.3%) as the most used PDA applications.

Conclusion
Applications used most often indicate that the devices are used as an organizational tool. Though nutrition specific applications are available, usage of such applications appears minimal. Training programs in PDA use are suggested to raise awareness and promote the adoption of PDA technology.

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