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Mobile Technology Use in Medical Education

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Informatics, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave., Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Rattiporn Luanrattana, Khin Than Win & John Fulcher

  2. Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave., Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Don Iverson

Authors
  1. Rattiporn Luanrattana
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  2. Khin Than Win
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  3. John Fulcher
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  4. Don Iverson
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Correspondence to Rattiporn Luanrattana.

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Luanrattana, R., Win, K.T., Fulcher, J. et al. Mobile Technology Use in Medical Education. J Med Syst 36, 113–122 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-010-9451-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-010-9451-x

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