Use of smartphones and mobile-based educational applications by medical residents in South India Smartphones and mobile apps usage in medical residents

Abstract

Background: Smartphones and mobile-based applications (apps) are widely used now-a-days by medical students and faculty. Their utility and applications can vary widely based on individual needs and practises. Here we aimed to analyse the usage of smartphones and apps by medical residents for their educational purpose.

Methods: This descriptive study involved 86 medical undergraduate and postgraduate residents from several institutions in South India. An online survey questionnaire was used to analyse their smartphone and apps usage perceptions and practices.

Results: All our participants used smartphones, with majority using android phones (83.7%), since their undergraduate study period. Over 70% residents used their smart phones for medical education purpose, besides personal and professional communications. Around 98% participants felt that smartphones were beneficial as an educational tool or additional resource for their professional upskilling. Multiple medical apps with diverse clinical educational scope were used by all our participants. Our participants were more conversant with apps than the online medical search engines. The frequent purpose of smartphone and apps usage were for taking educational pictures, watching medical video-lectures, and for medical calculations, learning medical skills. Common factors limiting smartphones and apps usage were cost of apps, apps lacking regulatory recognitions and, smaller mobile screens, user distractions.

Conclusion: Smartphones and mobile apps are popular, widely used and indispensable tools in the clinical education and practice of medical residents. Newer curricular designs should recognise and include these innovative tools for the progress of medical education.