Mobile Device Trends in Orthopedic Surgery: Rapid Change and Future Implications

Abstract

Mobile devices are increasingly becoming integral communication and clinical tools. Monitoring the prevalence and utilization characteristics of surgeons and trainees is critical to understanding how these new technologies can be best used in practice. The authors conducted a prospective Internet-based survey over 7 time points from August 2010 to August 2014 at all nationwide American Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopedic programs. The survey questionnaire was designed to evaluate the use of devices and mobile applications (apps) among trainees and physicians in the clinical setting. Results were analyzed and summarized for orthopedic surgeons and trainees. During the 48-month period, there were 7 time points with 467, 622, 329, 223, 237, 111, and 134 responses. Mobile device use in the clinical setting increased across all fields and levels of training during the study period. Orthopedic trainees increased their use of Smartphone apps in the clinical setting from 60% to 84%, whereas attending use increased from 41% to 61%. During this time frame, use of Apple/Android platforms increased from 45%/13% to 85%/15%, respectively. At all time points, 70% of orthopedic surgeons believed their institution/hospital should support mobile device use. As measured over a 48-month period, mobile devices have become an ubiquitous tool in the clinical setting among orthopedic surgeons and trainees. The authors expect these trends to continue and encourage providers and trainees to be aware of the limitations and risks inherent with new technology.

Current Use of Smartphone and Tablet Applications in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

“…The use of applications by orthopaedic surgeons and the number of applications available continue to increase. 10 The current study speaks to the potential utility of applications in orthopaedic training; however, further studies are needed to determine the optimal use of applications in clinical and educational orthopaedic settings.…”

“…8,9 From 2010 to 2014, orthopaedic residents increased their use of smartphone applications in the clinical setting from 60% to 84%, whereas attending use increased from 41% to 61%. 10 During this same time period, 70% of orthopaedic surgeons believed their institution/hospital should support mobile device use. 10 Despite the rapid expansion and use of available medical applications, questions remain about their safety, validity, and role in educational and clinical settings.…”

“…10 During this same time period, 70% of orthopaedic surgeons believed their institution/hospital should support mobile device use. 10 Despite the rapid expansion and use of available medical applications, questions remain about their safety, validity, and role in educational and clinical settings. [11][12][13][14] Several recent studies have demonstrated that some orthopaedic applications, such as those that measure gait, range of motion, and degree of spinal deviation in scoliosis, are as accurate as more traditional measuring devices.…”

Mobile apps for orthopedic surgeons: how useful are they?

“…An online survey of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited orthopedic training programs was conducted distributed over seven time points between August 2010 and August 2014. 13 When asked to select the most useful category of apps, the top five responses were Technique Guides (35%), Coding and Billing (34%), Textbooks/Reference (32%), Orthopedic In-Training Exam (OITE)/Board Study Material (28%), and Classification/ Treatment (27%). While the peer-review literature does not address many of these topics, some attempts have been made to evaluate and clarify the utility of various apps.…”

Designing for Situational Visual Impairments

“…Mobile shipment sales have overtaken desktop computers [19] and US consumers spend an average of five hours per day on mobile devices [24]. Furthermore, mobile devices are also beneficial within the workplace [2,6,13]. However, people using mobile devices can find themselves in challenging contexts that impede usability.…”