Mobile technology use in medical education

J Med Syst. 2012 Feb;36(1):113-22. doi: 10.1007/s10916-010-9451-x. Epub 2010 Apr 13.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the PDA functionalities for a problem-based learning (PBL) medical curriculum at the Graduate School of Medicine (GSM), the University of Wollongong (UOW). The study determines the factors/aspects of incorporating PDAs, and the attitudes of stakeholders regarding the use of PDAs in such a PBL-based medical curriculum. In-depth interviews were designed and conducted with medical faculty, the medical education technology team and honorary medical academics. Four major PDA functionalities were identified, these being: clinical-log, reference, communication, and general functions. Two major aspects for the incorporation of PDAs into the PBL-medical curriculum at the UOW were determined from the interviews, these being technical and practical aspects. There is a potential for PDAs to be incorporated into the PBL-medical curricula at the UOW. However, a clear strategy needs to be defined as to how best to incorporate PDAs into PBL-medical curricula with minimal impact on students, as well as financial and resource implications for the GSM.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude*
  • Computers, Handheld*
  • Databases, Factual / statistics & numerical data
  • Education, Medical, Graduate / methods*
  • Faculty, Medical*
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Problem-Based Learning / methods*
  • Wireless Technology / statistics & numerical data