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DOCSS: doctors on-call smartphone study

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Smartphones have revolutionised our demands for constant access to information. The usage of smartphones in the clinical setting is becoming widespread. The aim of our study was to assess smartphone ownership and usage across a cohort of interns.

Methods

A voluntary novel questionnaire was distributed to interns in two university hospitals. Details regarding smartphone ownership and usage were assessed. Likert scales were utilised for analysis.

Results

Sixty-one (74.4 %) interns responded to the survey. Sixty (98.4 %) owned a smartphone with iPhone® being the most popular (76.7 %). Fifty-five (91.6 %) interns have downloaded medical applications (‘apps’), while 29 (52.3 %) reported paying for them. Regarding smartphone use on-call, 30 (50 %) interns agreed it aids diagnoses, 26 (43 %) agree it helped in interpreting laboratory values, 31 (51.7 %) agreed it helped in dosing of medication and 33 (55 %) agreed it was of assistance in medical emergency protocols. Forty-two (70 %), 42 (70 %) and 46 (76.7 %) interns agreed or strongly agreed smartphones have a positive influence on them in terms of levels of stress, confidence and level of knowledge, respectively.

Conclusion

Smartphone usage is widespread among our intern cohort. The introduction of hospital applications with local guidelines would be welcomed; however, this may require informed patient consent regarding their use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    M. K. O’Reilly, C. W. Fitzgerald & C. Shields

  2. Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland

    G. J. Nason, S. Liddy & M. E. Kelly

Authors
  1. M. K. O’Reilly
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  2. G. J. Nason
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  3. S. Liddy
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  4. C. W. Fitzgerald
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  5. M. E. Kelly
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  6. C. Shields
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. J. Nason.

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O’Reilly, M.K., Nason, G.J., Liddy, S. et al. DOCSS: doctors on-call smartphone study. Ir J Med Sci 183, 573–577 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-013-1053-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-013-1053-4

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