Loading…
Smartphone Applications in Plastic Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Survey of 577 Plastic Surgeons, Fellows, Residents, and Medical Students
Abstract Background There are now over 2.2 million mobile applications (apps) in existence, with more than 250 identifiable by searching “plastic surgery.” Unfortunately, only 30% of these are academically relevant, which makes finding useful plastic surgery apps both challenging and inefficient. Ob...
Saved in:
Published in: | Aesthetic surgery journal 2019-11, Vol.39 (12), p.530-537 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Abstract
Background
There are now over 2.2 million mobile applications (apps) in existence, with more than 250 identifiable by searching “plastic surgery.” Unfortunately, only 30% of these are academically relevant, which makes finding useful plastic surgery apps both challenging and inefficient.
Objectives
The authors sought to evaluate the use of digital resources and awareness of available apps within plastic surgery to improve their clinical/educational utilization.
Methods
An extensive search of the Apple and Android databases was performed to identify all relevant plastic surgery apps. An American Society of Plastic Surgeons-sponsored survey was distributed to a random cohort of American Society of Plastic Surgeons members (practicing surgeons, fellows, and residents) and students applying to an integrated plastic surgery residency. The survey queried utilization of resources to access medical information and awareness of apps relevant to clinical/educational plastic surgery.
Results
A total 153 relevant applications were identified between the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores. Of the 577 respondents (273 practicing surgeons, 117 residents, 11 fellows, and 177 medical students), 99.31% own a smartphone/tablet. Furthermore, medical students and residents/fellows utilized both smartphones and computers more frequently than practicing physicians (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0022, respectively). Digital resources were also utilized more frequently than printed material (P < 0.00001). For app awareness, 82.1% of respondents reported knowing of fewer than 10 apps relevant to plastic surgery, and only 8.41% were aware of more than 20.
Conclusions
Smartphone usage is nearly ubiquitous among plastic surgeons, and most utilize these devices daily to access medical information. However, awareness of the many available and relevant plastic surgery apps is extremely limited. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1090-820X 1527-330X |
DOI: | 10.1093/asj/sjz052 |