Medical student use of the iPad in the clerkship curriculum

There is little precedence for the implementation of a medical school iPad programme in a clinical setting. This study analysed students' use of iPad apps and perceptions of the iPad as a clinical tool in a clinical third-year medical school curriculum.

All third-year medical students (n = 103) were provided iPads for use during their regular clinical rotations. Students received an orientation that included an introduction to the recommended apps selected for the study. A pre-survey (82.5% response rate) and post-survey (47.6% response rate) were administered to determine students' use of specific iPad programs, activities performed on the iPad and their perceptions.

Students reported technology proficiency with the iPad and positive perceptions about its use in a clinical setting. They reported using a few key apps out of the many specialty-specific apps recommended to them.

Students found efficiency through their ability to study during downtime, and through quick access to information and mobile access to electronic medical records, amongst the greatest benefits of having an iPad during their rotations. Improving Wi-Fi infrastructure and offering timely iPad orientations could decrease challenges to students' clinical iPad apps use. This study analysed students' use of iPad apps and perceptions of the iPad as a clinical too.