Utilization of smart phones related medical applications among medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah: A cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
The present study explored the utility, attitude, and trends regarding Smartphone related Medical Applications (Apps) among medical students of King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA) and their perceptions of the impact of Medical Apps in their training activities.


METHODS
This survey was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, and Rabigh campuses, KAU, Jeddah, SA. All participants were medical students of 2nd to 6th year. The data was collected by using an anonymous questionnaire regarding the perception of medical students about Medical Apps on the smart devices and the purpose of installation of the Apps. Additionally examined was the use of different Medical Apps by the students to investigate the impact of Medical Apps on the clinical training/practice. Data was analyzed on SPSS 21.


RESULTS
The opinion of 330/460 medical students from all academic years was included in the study with a response rate of 72%. There were 170 (51.5%) males and 160 (48.5%) females with a mean age of 21.26±1.86 years. Almost all participating students 320 (97%) were well aware of Medical Apps for smart devices and 89.1% had installed different applications on their smart devices. The main usage was for either revision of courses (62.4%) or for looking up of medical information (67.3%), followed by preparing for a presentation (34.5%) and getting the medical news (32.1%). Regarding the impact of Medical Apps, most of the students considered these helpful in clinical decision-making, assisting in differential diagnosis, allowing faster access to Evidence-Based Medical practice, saving time and others. The practical use of these Apps was found to be minimal in medical students. Around 73% were occasional users of Medical Apps, and only 27% were using Medical Apps at least once a day.


CONCLUSIONS
The regular use of Medical Apps on mobile devices is not common among medical students of KAU.
Intern, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: zsaidalamin@stu.kau.edu.sa.
Zaid
Z
Sayedalamin
Intern, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz
A
Alshuaibi
Intern, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Osama
O
Almutairi
Intern, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mariam
M
Baghaffar
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Tahir
T
Jameel
Department of Clinical Biochemistry/Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mukhtiar
M
Baig
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D000068997:Smartphone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
Medical Apps; Medical students; Saudi Arabia; Smartphones