MDs' computer, PDA use on the upswing
=====================================

* Shelley Martin

The 2002 CMA Physician Resource Questionnaire has determined that personal computer use among Canadian physicians is nearing saturation coverage, with the proportion using them rising from 74% to 89% in the past 5 years. Although female physicians are still slightly less likely to use computers than their male counterparts (87% vs 90%), the difference is not statistically significant. More than 90% of physicians in younger age groups personally use computers, compared with 85% of those aged 55–64 and 68% of those aged 65 and older. GP/FPs are slightly less likely (86%) to use them personally than medical (93%) and surgical (91%) specialists. Thirty-eight percent of those not currently using computers indicated that they plan to do so in the next 12 months, while 44% had no plans to start.

![Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/167/7/794.2/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/content/167/7/794.2/F1)

Figure. 

This year's PRQ also indicated that more than one-quarter (28%) of Canadian physicians currently use a personal digital assistant (PDA) in clinical practice, a 47% increase over 2001. Male physicians are somewhat more likely to use them in their practices than females (30% v. 24%). Those in the under-35 age group are by far the most likely (44%) to use them in practice, while those aged 65 and older are least likely (12%). GP/FPs are slightly less likely (25%) to use PDAs than medical (31%) and surgical (30%) specialists. — *Shelley Martin*, Senior Analyst, Research, Policy and Planning Directorate, CMA