The DOI matches its Crossref record; 31 of the 31 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
“It's on my iPhone”: attitudes to the use of mobile computing devices in medical education, a mixed-methods study
Open accessAbstract
Objective: The last decade has seen the introduction of new technology which has transformed many aspects of our culture, commerce, communication and education. This study examined how medical teachers and learners are using mobile computing devices such as the iPhone in medical education and practice, and how they envision them being used in the future. Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted with medical students, residents and faculty to examine participants’ attitudes about the current and future use of mobile computing devices in medical education and practice. A thematic approach was used to summarise ideas and concepts expressed, and to develop an online survey. A mixed methods approach was used to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings. Setting and participants: Medical students, residents and faculty at a large Canadian medical school in 2011. Results: Interviews were conducted with 18 participants (10 students, 7 residents and 1 faculty member). Only 213 participants responded to the online survey (76 students, 65 residents and 41 faculty members). Over 85% of participants reported using a mobile-computing device. The main uses described for mobile devices related to information management, communication and time management. Advantages identified were portability, flexibility, access to multimedia and the ability to look up information quickly. Challenges identified included: superficial learning, not understanding how to find good learning resources, distraction, inappropriate use and concerns about access and privacy. Both medical students and physicians expressed the view that the use of these devices in medical education and practice will increase in the future. Conclusions: This new technology offers the potential to enhance learning and patient care, but also has potential problems associated with its use. It is important for leadership in medical schools and healthcare organisations to set the agenda in this rapidly developing area to maximise the benefits of this powerful new technology while avoiding unintended consequences.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Given that a majority of providers use their cell phone in clinical practice, mobile applications can be particularly useful in settings where such providers lack access to expertise. 4,5”
From Impact of Mobile Device-Based Clinical Decision Support Tool on Guideline Adherence and Mental Workload (2019) · cites this paper as [5]
In the citing paper
“Given that a majority of providers use their cell phone in clinical practice, mobile applications can be particularly useful in settings where such providers lack access to expertise. 4,5”
From Impact of Mobile Device-Based Clinical Decision Support Tool on Guideline Adherence and Mental Workload (2019) · cites this paper as [5]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
The shallows: what the Internet is doing to our brains
(2010) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.48-1521 · Cited by 1,104
Association of Interruptions With an Increased Risk and Severity of Medication Administration Errors
Westbrook, J. I. (2010) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.65 · Cited by 772
Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs
Franko, O. I., & Tirrell, T. F. (2011) · Journal of Medical Systems · doi:10.1007/s10916-011-9798-7 · Cited by 531
The impact of interruptions on clinical task completion
Westbrook, J. I., Coiera, E. W., Dunsmuir, W. T. M., Brown, B. M., Kelk, N. J., Paoloni, R., & Tran, C. (2010) · BMJ Quality & Safety · doi:10.1136/qshc.2009.039255 · Cited by 344
Davies, B. S., Rafique, J., Vincent, T. R., Fairclough, J., Packer, M. H., Vincent, R., & Haq, I. (2012) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-12-1 · Cited by 307
An Evaluation of the Use of Smartphones to Communicate Between Clinicians: A Mixed-Methods Study
Wu, R. C., Rossos, P. G., Quan, S. D., Reeves, S., Lo, V., Wong, B. M., Cheung, M., & Morra, D. J. (2011) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.1655 · Cited by 204
Diffusion of innovations: Smartphones and wireless anatomy learning resources
Trelease, R. B. (2008) · Anatomical Sciences Education · doi:10.1002/ase.58 · Cited by 132
Cloud Computing Through Mobile-Learning
Mallikharjuna, N., Sasidhar, C., & Satyendra, V. (2010) · International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications · doi:10.14569/ijacsa.2010.010607 · Cited by 112
The uses of the iPhone for surgeons
Dala-Ali, B. M., Lloyd, M. A., & Al-Abed, Y. A. (2010) · The Surgeon · doi:10.1016/j.surge.2010.07.014 · Cited by 106
Infectious Diseases Resources for the iPhone
Oehler, R. L., Smith, K., & Toney, J. (2010) · Clinical Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1086/651602 · Cited by 91
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 401–432 of 432
Đurić, P., & Rajović, N. (2024) · Glasnik javnog zdravlja · doi:10.5937/serbjph2401051d
A Perspective Review: State-of-the-Art on m-Health Services
Chettri, L., & Rai, R. (2024) · SN Computer Science · doi:10.1007/s42979-024-02840-2
From small spark to great fire
Grijpma, J. W. (2024) · doi:10.5463/thesis.657
M-Thyroid Care Mobile App: Virtual Video Consultation Application for Thyroid Clinic
Yaacob, N. A., Shabli, A. H. M., & Abdullah, N. R. A. (2024) · International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) · doi:10.3991/ijim.v18i12.49121
Customized Mobile App for Residents Rotating Through Pediatric Critical Care Unit
Tseng, Y.-S., Thomas, R., & Sarnaik, A. (2024) · Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development · doi:10.1177/23821205241275357
Junaid, S. M., Jamil, B., Aurangzeb, U., Shah, S., & Nadeem, N. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-06696-9
The Effect of Clinical Decision Support Tools on Physicians’ Practices
Fakih, A. (2025) · Journal of the Association of Physicians of India · doi:10.59556/japi.73.0706
Bahrami, M., Beigi-Harchegani, H., & Zarei, B. (2025) · Journal of Education and Health Promotion · doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_62_24
Miyagami, T., Nishizaki, Y., Shimizu, T., Yamamoto, Y., Shikino, K., Kataoka, K., Nojima, M., Deshpande, G. A., Naito, T., & Tokuda, Y. (2025) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/55087
The effect of smartphones and mobile apps in Egyptian Emergency Departments: A cross-sectional study
Hassan, M. O., Aboelnasr, R. M., Elsebaey, A. F. A., Elabd, S. S., Ewida, A. H., & Taha, W. M. (2025) · African Journal of Emergency Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.afjem.2025.02.001
Dua, R., Sharma, S., Naik, S., Vashisth, P., Maheshwari, P., & De, S. (2025) · International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry · doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-3063
Schema: A Quantified Learning Solution to Augment, Assess, and Analyze Learning in Medicine
Sebin, D., Doda, V., & Balamani, S. (2025) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.81803
Construção de protótipo de aplicativo para avaliação de lesões
Santos, G. K. D. B. B., Souza, A. W. D. M. S., Douradinho, C., Braga, C., Aragão, N. R. O., Filoni, E., da Cunha, M. F., Pardi, P. C., Teles, M. J. M., de Oliveira, A. S., et al. (2025) · Caderno Pedagógico · doi:10.54033/cadpedv22n8-141
Contemporary trends in the use of Information and communication technologies in medical education
Ilić, N., Milic, N. M., & Bajčetić, M. (2025) · Medicinski podmladak · doi:10.5937/mp76-49597
Security and Six Other Enablers in Mhealth Use for Patients' and Health Professionals'
Semuwal, G. S., & Rathod, A. P. S. (2024) · International Conference on Innovative Sustainable Computational Technologies (CISCT) · doi:10.1109/cisct62494.2024.11134258
Krishnan, S. K., Deka, K., Nayak, M. M., Pranathi, T. N. V. S. L., & Shetty, U. (2025) · Discover Social Science and Health · doi:10.1007/s44155-025-00352-9 · Cited by 1
Fanelli, S., Lanza, G., Enna, C., & Zangrandi, A. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12134721
Amran, M. M., Bilitzky, A., Bar-Yishay, M., & Adler, L. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26701384
Additional file 1 of Hurdles for adopting mobile learning devices at the outset of clinical courses
Folger, D., Merenmies, J. M., Sjöberg, L., & Pyörälä, E. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.17097997
Demsash, A. W., Kalayou, M. H., & Walle, A. D. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26103713
Amran, M. M., Bilitzky, A., Bar-Yishay, M., & Adler, L. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26701381
Additional file 2 of Hurdles for adopting mobile learning devices at the outset of clinical courses
Folger, D., Merenmies, J. M., Sjöberg, L., & Pyörälä, E. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.17098000
Amran, M. M., Bilitzky, A., Bar-Yishay, M., & Adler, L. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26701387
Demsash, A. W., Kalayou, M. H., & Walle, A. D. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26103849
Puah, S. H., Goh, C. Y., Chan, C. L., Teoh, A. K. J., Zhang, H., Shen, Z., & Neo, L. P. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19501066
Junaid, S. M., Jamil, B., Khan, M. A., Akbar, Z., Shah, S., Nadeem, N., & Nadeem, A. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.22610920
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Live Listen as an Assistive Listening Device
Foroogozar, M., Seideman, T. A., Liss, J., & Berisha, V. (2026) · American Journal of Audiology · doi:10.1044/2025_aja-25-00156
Kao, J., Ackermann, K., Lam, V., & Li, L. (2026) · Health Science Reports · doi:10.1002/hsr2.71886
Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Current Trends and Challenges
Siang, L. J., & Veerasamy, R. (2026) · Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · doi:10.35516/jjps.v19i1.3093
The use of communication applications in orthopaedics: a scoping review
Olivelle, A., Borra, P., Sati, R., Gupta, M. S., Oochit, K., & Patel, A. (2026) · Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00402-026-06318-z
Majumdar, A., Ananthakrishnan, M., Kaur, P., Sharma, S., Jain, A., & Vantepaka, S. (2026) · Indian Journal of Community Medicine · doi:10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_105_26
Dewan, T., Tomy, A., Adesua, O., Bharucha, A., & Ambalavanan, S. (2026) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.118021
Metadata
- Authors
- Wallace, S., Clark, M., & White, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Wallace, Sean
- ORCID
- White, Jonathan
- Venue
- BMJ Open
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2012
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- e001099
- ISSN
- 2044-6055 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3432838
- OpenAlex
- W2125878686
- Cited by
- 432
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 58.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- BMJ Open (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Alberta
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Mobile Learning in Education
- Social Sciences › Education › Innovations in Medical Education
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Keywords
- mobile computers, smartphones, medical education, attitudes toward technology, medical students, residents (medical training), faculty, distraction, privacy concerns, information management, educational technology
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review