title: The use of smartphone applications by urology trainees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mobile phone technology is continuously advancing- the smartphone allows users instant access to information via the internet. Downloadable applications (apps) are becoming widespread across medical specialities. The aim of this study was to assess the use of smartphone apps among urology trainees in Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous electronic survey was distributed via Survey Monkey(®) to all urology trainees in Ireland assessing their ownership and use of smartphones and downloadable apps. A search of urology apps was performed using the Apple App Store and the Android Market.
  
  
  RESULTS
  36 (81.8%) of trainees responded with 100% ownership of smartphones. 28 (77%) report downloading apps with 11 (30.6%) reporting paying for them. The mean number of apps downloaded was 4 (Range 1-12). 16 (44.4%) trainees think apps for smartphones are very useful in clinical practice, 14 (42.4%) think they are useful. A total of 126 urology apps were available. 76 (60.3%) were designed for physicians, 46 (36.5%) for patients, 2 (1.6%) for students and 2 (1.6%) for urological nurses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are an ever increasing number of urology apps available. Urology trainees are using smartphones as an educational and reference tool and find them a useful aide in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: nasong@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Nason
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: matthewburke1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: asadullahaslam@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: kellym11@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: chaudary.akram@hse.ie.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: subhasis.giri@hse.ie.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: hugh.flood@hse.ie.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Flood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000068997:Smartphone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000070260:Teacher Training / Q000379:methods*; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education*
keywords: Applications; Apps; Downloads; Smartphones; Trainees; Urology