Background: Medical apps on smart devices are popular among medical students. However, the impact of medical apps on clinical practice is relatively less known.Aims: To study the prevalence of medical app usage among medical students and assess its impact on clinical practice.Method: One hundred fifty-five first year medical students of the International Medical University, Malaysia completed an anonymous questionnaire designed to explore demographic parameters, types of smart devices owned and the medical apps installed on the smart devices; and the frequency and purpose of usage of the apps. The students' perception regarding medical apps, the impact of medical apps on clinical practice and the characteristics of an ideal medical app were explored.Results: About 88% of medical students reported owning a smart device and 87.5% had medical apps installed on their smart devices. Most students reported positive perceptions towards medical apps and agreed they have positive impact on their studies and clinical practice. However, the medical students reported little awareness about the potential breach of patient confidentiality with the use of these apps. Conclusion:There is high prevalence of smart devices and medical apps usage among first year clinical medical students with positive perception regarding its usage and impact on their clinical practice. Medical schools should encourage the use of medical apps among medical students with strategies put in place to safeguard patient confidentiality.

This study highlights that health education on the use of generic drugs needs to be scaled up. These findings are important to the health policy makers who may need to consider addressing factors such as quality of care and physical distance to the clinic in the design and implementation of health facilities and the selection of the catchment areas.