The 5th Future Physicians of America survey conducted by Epocrates claims that medical students are increasingly using mobile resources such as smartphones as the first place to turn to with clinical questions. The study also reveals that while BlackBerry’s are currently the 2nd most popular smartphones owned (a 14% market share), only 4% of respondents plan on purchasing one for their next phone. The study questioned over 700 medical students who already use Epocrates.
Other interesting responses from smartphone-toting med students:
• Emergency Med, Pediatrics, Family Practice, and Internal Medicine were the most popular specialty choices.
• They feel they get the least satisfactory training in dealing with hospital bureaucracy and running their own practice
• Apple devices (iPod, iPad, iPhone) win the day in current and planned ownership by a large margin
• 70% think it “Very Important” to have an EHR at the place they eventually practice.
Epocrates: Today’s Medical Students are the Most Technology-Savvy Yet