Information Use on Mobile Devices in Medicine

Preliminary Survey Results

Presenters: Jill Boruff (McGill), Dale Storie (Alberta) Lee-Anne Ufholz (Ottawa), Dagmara Chojecki (Alberta), Helen Robertson (Calgary)

Background

• Rapid adoption of smartphones and tablet computers (1-2).

• Explosion of content available for mobile devices, of varying quality (1).

• Challenges for libraries: availability of institutional licensing, authentication processes, new software platforms to support (3).

Research Questions

 What resources, if any, are medical students, residents, and faculty using on their mobile devices when answering clinical questions?

 In what situations do they use their mobile devices for finding information?

 What intellectual and technical barriers prohibit medical students, residents and faculty from using their mobile devices to find information related to their studies and work?

Survey

• The survey was comprised of fourteen questions and was only administered online.

• Respondents from 4 out of 5 institutions are represented in this presentation.

 1210 results up to April 14, 2012.

Do you have a mobile device? No 7,4% Yes 92,6% n=1210

Demographic

Clinical instructor 3,2% Other 3,3% Faculty member 32,1% Graduate student (other than medical resident) 8,4% Medical resident 28,9% Preclinical undergraduate medical student 15.5% Clinical undergraduate medical student 8.5% n=1092

Device type

iPhone or iPod touch iPad Blackberry Android phone Other tablet computer Other phone with Internet access 14,6% 10,9% 4,2% 2,8% 42,1% 71,8% n=1073

What do you do with your device?

Find drug information Clinical calculations Take notes Read journal articles Find practice guidelines Read point-of-care… Search for journal articles Differential diagnoses Other use None of these 10,9% 10,2% 34,5% 57,9% 51,6% 50,1% 49,8% 48,9% 46,4% 73,4% n=1069

What was the last resource you used?

UpToDate Medscape PubMed Lexicomp Epocrates Google Journals/Articles Medical Calculator Dynamed Library/Library databases PEPID Wikipedia Web/Internet (general) Textbooks Micromedex Guidelines Skyscape Google Scholar 5,8% 4,8% 4,6% 4,1% 3,2% 2,8% 2,7% 2,1% 1,4% 1,2% 9,9% 9,8% 8,7% 8,5% 7,7% 7,7% 12,8% 20,9% n=846

How long did it take you?

Seconds/Less than a minute 1-2 minutes A few minutes More than 10 minutes 7,4% 26,6% 26,4% n=714 39,5%

How often do you use your device to access medical resources?

More than once a day Once a day Several times a week Several times a month Once a month Less than once a month Never 9,3% 8,6% 3,5% 4,2% 9,3% 17,6% 47,5% n=1071

Aware that the library offers mobile resources All responses (n=992)

42.9%

Have used those resources

All responses from those who replied yes to the previous question (n=419)

67.5%

Have found those resources useful

All responses from those who replied yes to the previous question (n=278)

96.8%

Satisfaction with library resources

 “They are very expensive apps, so getting access from the university library is incredibly helpful.”  “Free, with instant access to information in areas without computers or textbooks available.”

What support would you like the library to provide? Online how-to guides specific to your institution Hands-on workshops on how to use medical resources on… Drop-in troubleshooting assistance More resources Hands-on workshops on how to use mobile devices Other None 8,3% 7,9% 23,1% 17,0% 42,9% 39,1% 64,2% N=931

Barriers to access

Wireless access in the hospital or clinic Knowing what resources are available Lack of time Understanding how to use the resources 20,8% 26,2% Technology problems Complicated installation process Other barriers Do not have permission to install software (e.g.… 11,8% 9,1% 20,7% 18,5% 55,9% 70,6% N=923

Access Problems:

 “Actually accessing the journal/article via the online library resources. Too many steps involved to go from PubMed search result to actually downloading the PDF to my iPad.”  “I keep meaning to get the code for pepid and did use it years ago but keep getting distracted and then when I want to use it I'm in the middle of clinic and can't stop to apply for the code.”

Formatting problems:

 “Small print, sometimes hard to read. Sometimes the mobile version of a site doesn't have all the links or info that I want.”  Pages are not optimized for display on small smart phone screen (like this survey page by the way, ironically)

What they like

 “Speed, convenience, portability”  “So fast, so easy. I can read articles or check notes during rounds or during a quick break.”  It's fast - can access information immediately without having to look for a computer.”  “speed of having an app already on phone and not having to use a website”

Communication

 “Send out a newsletter with a list of available apps and how to install them (make installation easier!)”  “provide a list and email info about where to find these resources”

Discussion

 Speed of access is very important, in particular, authentication to licensed resources is a significant issue.

 Users who are aware of the libraries’ licensed resources are generally happy with what is available.

 Large demand for unmediated support and increased communication of available resources.

Next Steps

 Further data analysis  Conduct follow-up interviews

Acknowledgements

 University of Alberta Libraries’ Travel and Research Support Fund

Questions?

References: 1. Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs. J Med Syst [Internet]. 2011 Nov 4 [cited 2011 Dec 14];Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22052129 2. Jackson & Coker Research Associates. Apps, Doctors, and Digital Devices [Internet]. Jackson & Coker Industry Report. [cited 2011 Dec 20];Available from: http://www.jacksoncoker.com/physician-career resources/newsletters/monthlymain/des/Apps.aspx

3. Chatterley T, Chojecki D. Personal digital assistant usage among undergraduate medical students: exploring trends, barriers, and the advent of smartphones. J Med Libr Assoc. 2010 Apr;98(2):157–60.