Use of Smartphones for Clinical and Medical Education

Abstract

Smartphone use in clinical settings and in medical education has been on the rise, benefiting both health care and health care providers. Studies have shown, however, that some health care facilities and providers are reluctant to switch to smartphones due to the threat of mixing personal apps with clinical care applications and the possibility that distraction created by smartphone use could lead to medication errors and errors linked to procedures, treatments, or tests. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of smartphones in a clinical setting and for medical education, to determine their overall impact. The methodology for this qualitative study was a literature review, conducted over five electronic databases. The search was limited to articles published in English, between 2010 and 2016. Forty-one sources that focused on the implementation of and the barriers to use of smartphones in clinical and medical education environments were referenced. These studies revealed that smartphones have more positive than negative effects on the ability to enhance patient care and medical education. Smartphone use is clearly an effective and efficient method of enhancing patient care and medical education in the health care industry. Access to health care as well is enhanced by the use of this tool.

The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: a systematic review based on current evidence

“…Telehealth services are renderdusing real-time or store-and-forward techniques [19]. With the rapid evolution and downsizing of portable electronics, most families have at least one device of digital, such as smartphones [20] and webcams that provide communication between patient and healthcare provider [21]. Video conferencing and similar television systems are also used to provide health care programs for people who are hospitalized or in quarantine to reduce the risk of exposure to others and employees [7].…”

The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review based on current evidence

“…Telehealth services are delivered using realtime or store-and-forward techniques (19). With the rapid evolution and downsizing of portable electronics, most families have at least one digital device, such as smartphones (20) and webcams, that provide patient and provider communication (21). Video conferencing and similar television systems are also used to provide health care programs for people who are hospitalized or in quarantine to reduce the risk of exposure to others and employees (7).…”

Communicating radon risk via a smartphone app: a pilot intervention study

“…S adults in 2019 own a smartphone [14], communicating radon risks via a smartphone application (app) could be a novel approach to the problem of low radon awareness and testing. Smartphones and mobile applications have produced positive behavioral responses in diverse medical settings [15]. We therefore developed an app focused on radon awareness.…”