The cost of being wireless: a usage analysis of the 'PubMed for Handhelds' portal at the point-of-care.

We analyzed the server logs of the 'PubMed for Handhelds' portal for a 30-day period, defined user characteristics and used a smartphone to do 'typical' MEDLINE searches. We then determined the amount of data exchanged between server and mobile device. Wireless Web access can be a useful tool to the mobile clinician. Daily data usage could reach megabyte levels.