User Perceptions and Use of Decision Support Medical Apps Among Medical Students: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

We aimed to assess medical students’ use of decision-support medical apps and evaluate their perception of app use. A cross-sectional multi-center observational study was conducted among medical students with and without a medical informatics course as part of their undergraduate medical curriculum. We assessed trust, perceptions, patient impression, reliability, and comfort using an online survey. A total of 439 responses were received. There were significant differences between the two groups when indicating which apps, they trust. Students agreed that using apps enhanced knowledge (91%), saved time (88%), improved patient care (85%), and increased diagnostic accuracy (82%). Students indicated that patients would think that students didn’t know what they were doing (63%) or students were fresh out of training (53%) when using apps in the presence of patients. Incorporating medical app usage as part of learning may increase trust and comfort with using medical apps in medical practice.