title: Medical student appraisal: applications for bedside patient education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical students are often afforded the privilege of counselling patients. In the past resources were limited to pen and paper or anatomic models. The evolution of mobile applications allows for limitless access to resources that facilitate bedside patient education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the utility of six applications in patient education and promote awareness of implementing mobile resources in clinical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six medical students rotating on various clerkships evaluated a total of six mobile applications. Strengths, limitations, and suggested uses in clinical care were identified. Applications included Meditoons™, VisiblePatient™, DrawMD™, CardioTeach™, Visual Anatomy™, and 360° Patient Education Suite™. Data was generated from narrative responses supplied by each student during their evaluation period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bedside teaching was enhanced by professional illustrations and animations depicting anatomy and pathophysiology. Impromptu teaching was facilitated, as resources were conveniently available on a student's smartphone or tablet. The ability to annotate and modify images and subsequently email to patients was an extraordinary improvement in provider-patient communication. Universal limitations included small smartphone screens and the novelty of new technology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobile applications have the potential to greatly enhance patient education and simultaneously build rapport. Endless opportunities exist for their integration in clinical practice, particularly for new diagnoses, consent for procedures, and at time of discharge. Providers should be encouraged to try new applications and utilize them with patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Markman
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sampognaro
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalifian
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dattilo
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software; D013337:Students, Medical
keywords: Application; electronics; mobile health; patient education; smartphone