See the published version of this article at BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.
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Research article
Smartphone and Medical Application use Among Dentists in China
Jinlin Song
Chongqing Medical University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0224-6640
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.
Background
With the development of information technology, more and more healthcare professionals are using smartphones and mobile medical applications (apps) in their clinical practice. The objective of this study was to survey the use of smartphone based medical apps among dentists in China and their perceptions on such apps.
Methods
All data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. The questionnaires for this cross-sectional study were randomly sent to dentists by email, and 379 dentists completed the questionnaires. Dentists’ demographics and their perceptions on Wechat, QQ (the most popular social media apps in China) and other medical apps were assessed, including questions on the purpose, frequency, daily use, and opinion of these apps they used. Questions were answered using a Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = not sure, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree).
Results
A total of 379 valid responses were received with a median age of 33.6 years old (63.3% female). All subjects (100%) owned a smartphone, and all of them installed and used WeChat or QQ in their clinical practice. Only 76% subjects installed medical apps (except Wechat and QQ) on their smartphones. Male dentists would like to install medical apps than female dentists (p < 0.05). With the increasing of age, the percentage of dentists to install medical apps was decreasing ( p < 0.001). The frequency and daily use of WeChat or QQ were more often than medical apps. Medical apps were positively perceived, with dentists reporting to recommend these medical apps to other peers (Likert score: 1.67 ± 0.68).
Conclusion
Medical apps were perceived to provide positive impact on clinical practice, education and patient care in dentistry by providing relevant medical information. But there will be still much room for improvement in the future.
Keywords
smartphone, medical applications, dentistry, China, dentists
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
Published
On 07 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 02 Sep, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 02 Sep, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 21 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Aug, 2020
Version 1
Posted 08 Jul, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 04 Aug, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 04 Aug, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 10 Jul, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 10 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 02 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 01 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 01 Jul, 2020
First submitted
On 18 Jun, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Medical Informatics
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Smartphone and Medical Application use Among Dentists in China
Jinlin Song
Chongqing Medical University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0224-6640
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
Published
On 07 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 02 Sep, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 02 Sep, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 21 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Aug, 2020
Version 1
Posted 08 Jul, 2020
No comments provided
Review #2 received
Received 04 Aug, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 04 Aug, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 10 Jul, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 10 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 02 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 01 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 01 Jul, 2020
First submitted
On 18 Jun, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Medical Informatics
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.
Background
With the development of information technology, more and more healthcare professionals are using smartphones and mobile medical applications (apps) in their clinical practice. The objective of this study was to survey the use of smartphone based medical apps among dentists in China and their perceptions on such apps.
Methods
All data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. The questionnaires for this cross-sectional study were randomly sent to dentists by email, and 379 dentists completed the questionnaires. Dentists’ demographics and their perceptions on Wechat, QQ (the most popular social media apps in China) and other medical apps were assessed, including questions on the purpose, frequency, daily use, and opinion of these apps they used. Questions were answered using a Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = not sure, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree).
Results
A total of 379 valid responses were received with a median age of 33.6 years old (63.3% female). All subjects (100%) owned a smartphone, and all of them installed and used WeChat or QQ in their clinical practice. Only 76% subjects installed medical apps (except Wechat and QQ) on their smartphones. Male dentists would like to install medical apps than female dentists (p < 0.05). With the increasing of age, the percentage of dentists to install medical apps was decreasing ( p < 0.001). The frequency and daily use of WeChat or QQ were more often than medical apps. Medical apps were positively perceived, with dentists reporting to recommend these medical apps to other peers (Likert score: 1.67 ± 0.68).
Conclusion
Medical apps were perceived to provide positive impact on clinical practice, education and patient care in dentistry by providing relevant medical information. But there will be still much room for improvement in the future.