Just wondering what do people use to communicate in and out of the hospital in terms of device as well as data plan?  And if you’re really pro something (i.e. Blackberry, iPhone, Samsung, AT&T) please state why. 

I need to get a new gadget in the next couple of weeks, so any tips would be helpful!

Thanks!

iPhone.  Has good medical apps these days, nothing for the Palm I had previously even came close except epocrates.

I concur.  iPhone all the way.  Make sure to check and see what kind of reception you get in the hospital if you are going to switch carriers.

I agree. iPhone is the best at this point. Some medical schools get their students good discounts (up to 25% on the plan), so get it as a student before you graduate if you can. And like Spine said, check the connection in your hospital first. As far as I know, iPhone is currently only available with an AT&T line.

yeah, you can only get the iPhone with AT&T....for now.  Agree with looking into the discount.  I have gotten discounts with both Verizon and AT&T at my university.  If the connection sucks, then there is no point to have a mostly non-functional phone.  Ask around to people that have different services to see what kind of connection problems people have.  You can always give it a try, and take the phone back within 30days if you are not happy.

Actually, you can even get an iTouch instead, and download all the medical apps you like. In addition, you can download apps that would let you use the iTouch as a phone. No monthly bills and no contracts. I would have definitely gone down that path had I known about the phone apps.

iPod Touch 8GB works just fine anywhere you have wireless. Better in most hospitals than cellphones, esp in OR’s/ED’s where there is weak reception with any carrier and searching for signal kills your battery.

Speculation suggests AT&T contract with Apple is ending 2010, so if you buy an iPhone now you will be stuck in a two year contract next year even if another carrier with a better network (i.e. Verizon) gets the iPhone.

I never use the smartphone for apps anymore since getting the iPod Touch, which is far better, far cheaper (for the apps) and always has a connection when I need it anyway (in the hospital, with wireless). The only reason to keep a data plan and smartphone is if you absolutely must be able to check email even when you are someplace without wireless (like in your car, etc).

Skype is a free app for iPod Touch and you can make free voice calls to anyone else with skype installed with the iPod Touch if you buy the headphone+mic for iPod Touch ($39). Call quality is better than mobile/landline.