Ethical Considerations Related to Mobile Technology Use in Medical Research

Mobile technology has become increasingly prevalent in the workplace. Smart phones, tablets, and other forms of personal digital assistant have particular appeal for professionals seeking tools to enhance productivity. Research in particular requires the capacity to collect and process data in an efficient and cost effective manner. Investigators are increasingly turning to mobile devices for solutions as programs and data handling capabilities become more sophisticated. With these developments, however, arises the need to contemplate and address ethical considerations relevant to mobile technology use in the research context.