Title: Use of Smartphones by Postgraduate Residents in Orthopedics: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dr Sakib Arfee, Dr Irfan ul Ashraf, Dr Malik Naseer Ahmed, Dr Imran Yousouf Bhat, Dr Mudasir Rashid
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i12.150
Abstract
Background: “Utilize Time wisely and Fill up your Treasures” as rightly said by MADAN LAL MANCHANDA. This Quote tells us about the importance of each and every second passing. Smartphones not only make our lives easy and convenient but also save a lot of our precious time especially when we have to access resources and medical knowledge efficiently from across the globe.
Objective: Smartphone have changed the way we orthopedic residents work and learn. The main aim of this study is to make an objective assessment of Smartphone use by orthopedic residents and how it acts a useful tool for them in clinical and academic aspects.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Govt. Medical College Jammu in November 2018. This study is based on a questionnaire form filled by 40 orthopedic residents questioning them about the way they use their Smartphones for academic and clinical purposes and the final inference was drawn from these questionnaire forms.
Results: All the residents who were requested to be the part of this study possessed a Smartphone with Android/iPhone platforms and all had active internet connection. Orthopedic apps were installed in Smartphones of 36(90%) residents among 40 residents. Based on our questionnaire form filled by these residents 2 platforms (Android/iPhone) databases were searched for all the medical apps, a total of 10 orthopedic apps were installed in the Smartphones of these 36(90%) residents. As per this survey most widely used apps among these residents were AO Surgery References (AOSR), FC (FRACTURE CLASSIFICATIONS), Trauma Classifications. In addition to these applications orthopedic residents used their Smartphones to read textbooks (E-books) and communicate with their seniors related to any query/guidance when needed.
Conclusion: There is a wide use of Smartphones in orthopedics as a learning and educational tool. In addition to this Smartphones act as a convenient way to keep Logbooks and also help resident to keep records of patients with respect to their serial X-rays. Smartphones also bridge gap between the residents and their seniors. Thus health care institutes and hospitals should support proper use of Smartphones in academic, clinical and medical training, while continuing to protect patient confidentiality.
Keywords: Smartphones, orthopedic residents, Android/iPhone.
