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Mobile devices, learning and clinical workplaces: Medical student use of smartphones in Parisian hospitals
Author(s) -
Phelps Megan,
Scott Karen M.,
ChauffetéManillier Martine,
Lenne Frédéric,
Le Jeunne Claire
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/bjet.12477
Subject(s) - mobile device , medical education , the internet , psychology , social media , mobile technology , matching (statistics) , internet privacy , medicine , computer science , world wide web , pathology
Mobile devices are ubiquitous worldwide, including in hospitals. “Just in time” learning provided by these devices is important for students. We investigated current use of, and learning with, smartphones and other mobile devices by medical students in Parisian hospitals. A survey with quantitative and qualitative items previously used with students from an Australian medical school was translated to French and adapted. The voluntary survey was delivered online to Université Paris Descartes students. A total 854 medical students from across the final 5 years of the program completed the survey. The mean age was 22 years and 90% identified as French, matching the demographic pattern of the student body. Of 976 devices used by these students, 43% were iPhones and 32% another smartphone. Students accessed the Internet regularly or often, more for medically relevant than unrelated information—49% versus 16.5%. Almost half of respondents reported never accessing social media during clinical placements. Students agreed they used mobile devices for improving learning, knowledge and skills, but less for timetabling and communication. Reactions of supervisors, patients and families were concerning. Only 3.3% of respondents did not use a mobile device in clinical settings. These findings have implications for Francophone and all health professional schools.