This paper presents a review of literature and emerging evidence on the use of handheld devices as tools for learning and teaching in the training of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP). It will present an evidence based discussion on the use of handheld devices (HHDs) in the training of EHPs in tertiary education institutions and explore how compatible the use of HHDs devices is in the training and holistically preparing a functional EHP. In presenting this review, an introductory analysis of the current usage of HHDs in different disciplines in higher education is offered. The primary focus is on the specific usage of HDDs within the specialised education of Environmental Health Practitioners. The advantages of using HHDs include easy access to learning resources anytime at any place and interaction between learners and lecturers on discussion forums. Evidence on their use for EHP training concurs with the observed advantages from other discipline areas however, the specialised nature of EHP competencies presents unique challenges, each of which are explored in the context of widely accepted competencies of a functional graduate EHP. This paper presents the primary challenges that exist for EHP graduate training and within that, proposes the range of corrective actions that should be considered to maximise the benefits that may exist from the use of handheld devices (HHDs) in the training of EHPs in tertiary education institutions.

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