Information Use on Mobile Devices in MedicinePreliminary 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?

n=1210

Yes92.6%

No7.4%

Demographic

n=1092

Preclinical un-dergraduate

medical student15.5%Clinical under-

graduate medical student

8.5%

Medical resident28.9%

Graduate student (other than medical

resident)8.4%

Faculty member32.1%

Clinical instructor3.2%

Other3.3%

Device type

n=1073

Other phone with Internet access

Other tablet computer

Android phone

Blackberry

iPad

iPhone or iPod touch

2.8%

4.2%

10.9%

14.6%

42.1%

71.8%

None of these

Other use

Differential diagnoses

Search for journal articles

Read point-of-care information

Find practice guidelines

Read journal articles

Take notes

Clinical calculations

Find drug information

10.2%

10.9%

34.5%

46.4%

48.9%

49.8%

50.1%

51.6%

57.9%

73.4%

What do you do with your device?

n=1069

What was the last resource you used?

n=846Google ScholarSkyscape

GuidelinesMicromedex

TextbooksWeb/Internet (general)

WikipediaPEPID

Library/Library databasesDynamed

Medical CalculatorJournals/Articles

GoogleEpocratesLexicomp

PubMedMedscapeUpToDate

1.2%

1.4%

2.1%

2.7%

2.8%

3.2%

4.1%

4.6%

4.8%

5.8%

7.7%

7.7%

8.5%

8.7%

9.8%

9.9%

12.8%

20.9%

Seconds/Less than a minute

1-2 minutes

A few minutes

More than 10 minutes

26.6%

26.4%

39.5%

7.4%

How long did it take you?

n=714

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

n=1071

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

47.5%

9.3%

17.6%

8.6%

3.5%

4.2%

9.3%

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?

N=931None

Other

Hands-on workshops on how to use mobile devices

More resources

Drop-in troubleshooting assistance

Hands-on workshops on how to use medical resources on mobile devices

Online how-to guides specific to your institution

7.9%

8.3%

17.0%

23.1%

39.1%

42.9%

64.2%

Barriers to access

N=923Do not have permission to install software (e.g. corporate Blackberry)

Other barriers

Complicated installation process

Technology problems

Understanding how to use the resources

Lack of time

Knowing what resources are available

Wireless access in the hospital or clinic

9.1%

11.8%

18.5%

20.7%

20.8%

26.2%

55.9%

70.6%

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.