Smartphones in Nursing Education

Abstract

Smartphones are a new technology similar to PDAs but with expanded functions and greater Internet access. This article explores the potential uses and issues surrounding the use of smartphones in nursing education. While the functions of smartphones, such as sending text messages, viewing videos, and access to the Internet, may seem purely recreational, they can be used within the nursing curriculum to engage students and reinforce learning at any time or location. Smartphones can be used for quick access to educational materials and guidelines during clinical, class, or clinical conference. Students can review instructional videos prior to performing skills and readily reach their clinical instructor via text message. Downloadable applications, subscriptions, and reference materials expand the smartphone functions even further. Common concerns about requiring smartphones in nursing education include cost, disease transmission, and equipment interference; however, there are many ways to overcome these barriers and provide students with constant access to current clinical evidence.

Healthcare professionals’ use of mobile phones and the internet in clinical practice

“…The arrival of the internet was followed by another technological invention, the smartphone. Smartphones are powerful devices that combine the conventional functions of a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities enabling users to access software applications (commonly termed "apps") 2, 3 . There are currently more than 10,000 apps within the Apple App Store's "medical, health care & fitness" category alone 4 .…”

“…One such concern that has been raised is the risk of pathogen transfer 3,12,15 . It can be argued that mobiles should be treated like all medical equipment (e.g., stethoscopes) in terms of cleaning them.…”

“…It can be argued that mobiles should be treated like all medical equipment (e.g., stethoscopes) in terms of cleaning them. However, using the same disinfectants to those used to wipe down standard medical equipment may damage mobiles 3 . Placing a protective cover over mobiles that can withstand the usual disinfectants used on medical equipment has been suggested but this would only be suitable for touch screen devices and not mobiles with a built in keyboard 3,15 .…”

“…However, these issues can be overcome if data is stored within programs that can be erased remotely when a smartphone is reported to be lost or stolen 17 . Closely related to this topic is that patient confidentiality could be breached when smartphones are used to send messages or images pertaining to patients 3,18 . Another issue of concern is whether privately owned mobiles should be used for clinical purposes (e.g., taking photographs of patients' wounds) given that these devices are also used privately.…”

“…Despite the availability of thousands of medical apps 4 , efficacy data regarding some apps 11,13 , and the awareness of potential concerns associated with using smartphones in clinical practice 2, 3,12,[15][16][17] , there is little known in regards to healthcare professionals' use of and attitudes towards using smartphones in clinical practice. Low et al found that after using an app in a simulated emergency resuscitation scenario, participants did not think that using such an app is a reflection of poor training or that it appears unprofessional 13 .…”