The Use of Smartphones and Mobile Clinical Decision Support Systems in Clinical Clerkships: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Angel Schols Faculty for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Jeroen Donkers Institute for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Education, Faculty for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Manuela Voorend Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Daniëlle Verstegen Institute for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Education, Faculty for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Henk Hoogland Institute for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Education, Faculty for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Pieter Kubben Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center (PL Kubben, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Phone +31 (43) 387 6052, Fax +31 (43) 387 6038)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v7i2.2446

Keywords:

Decision support, E-learning, Mobile, PDA, smartphone

Abstract


Smartphones and Mobile Clinical Decision Support Systems (MCDSS) could help to overcome information overload and support physicians in providing up-to-date medical care. However, would smartphones and MCDSS also be useful for medical students during their clinical clerkships? In this prospective pilot study eight students were asked to use a smartphone during their daily clerkship activities and specifically to evaluate a basic MCDSS. Students were asked to fill out a short survey and exit interviews were conducted. Most students found the smartphone, especially access to the internet, a useful tool during their clerkship. Some students thought that the internet was an easier accessible information source compared to many applications. Several students were not aware of any high-quality applications and most students were not willing to pay more than ten Euros for such an application. In the opinion of most students smartphones should not be used in the presence of a patient. Students expressed a desire for more basic content in the tested MCDSS. In conclusion, smartphones can be a useful tool for medical students during their clerkship. MCDSS for medical students should be designed to their needs. Further research is needed to guide MCDSS development specifically targeted at medical students.

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Published

2013-03-20

How to Cite

Schols, A., Donkers, J., Voorend, M., Verstegen, D., Hoogland, H., & Kubben, P. (2013). The Use of Smartphones and Mobile Clinical Decision Support Systems in Clinical Clerkships: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 7(2), pp. 80–84. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v7i2.2446

Issue

Section

Short Papers