Smartphones and the plastic surgeon.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Plastic Surgery
• Digital Health

Background:

• The European Working Time Directive has reduced surgical training opportunities.
• Smartphones have become ubiquitous, surpassing computers in sales.
• Trainees and surgeons increasingly possess smartphones as portable devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of smartphones and mobile technology for plastic surgery trainees and surgeons.
• To provide a guide to digital educational materials and clinical tools.
• To explore the role of smartphones in education, telemedicine, and global health within plastic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing and emerging smartphone applications and digital resources.
• Categorization of tools for education, telemedicine, and global health.
• Inclusion of e-books, podcasts, videos, guidelines, assessment tools, and logbooks.

Main Results:

• Smartphones provide a revolutionary means of accessing information for plastic surgery trainees.
• A wide array of digital resources, including e-books, podcasts, and videos, are available.
• Technological tools can democratize access to education and improve clinical care, especially in resource-limited settings.

Conclusions:

• Smartphones are invaluable tools for modern plastic surgery education and practice.
• Accessible digital resources empower trainees and surgeons to enhance their skills and patient care.
• Strategic use of technology can overcome limitations in traditional training and clinical settings.