A personalized smartphone app for a surgery residency: Is it useful? - 10/02/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.116117

Crystal Zhang ^a, Katrina Thede ^a,^⁎ , Robert Dorenbusch ^a, Andrew Ehrsam ^b, Jonathan Saxe ^a
^a Generally Surgery Department, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, 2001 W, 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA
^b Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA

^⁎Corresponding author. 2001 W. 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA.2001 W86th StIndianapolisIN46260USA

Abstract

Background

Access to schedules, protocols, and learning materials needs to be convenient and fast. Smartphones have become the default pathway for information access. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of a smartphone application (app) on residency workflow and education.

Methods

After app development, a survey was conducted before and after implementation using Likert scales.Student's t-test was used for analysis.

Results

Pre-app, 76 % of faculty did not know the resident on call compared to 50 % post implementation (p < 0.01). Pre-app, management algorithms required internet search; post-app no searching was required (p < 0.05). Post-app, a printed call schedule became unnecessary and hospital operator calls decreased from daily to occasionally for residents and almost never for faculty (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

A smartphone application has proven to be beneficial for consolidating resources and workflow to improve resident training and patient care.

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Highlights

•	Use of a smartphone application increases ability for residents and faculty to know who is on call and contact other services.
•	Using smartphones increased the perceived amount of feedback residents receive.
•	Consolidating resources into one location decreases the use of internet searches to answer clinical questions by residents.
•	A smartphone application is regarded as useful and necessary by residents.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.