ASSESSMENT OF THE USAGE OF MOBILE APPLICATIONS (APPS) IN MEDICAL IMAGING AMONG MEDICAL IMAGING STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction: There are increasing numbers of medical imaging apps available on smart devices nowadays. However, knowledge about the usefulness of medical imaging apps among medical imaging students is rather limited.

Methods: 38 medical imaging students of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) completed a validated online questionnaire that is formulated to investigate the awareness, usage and perception about medical imaging apps installed in the smart devices. The students’ preference regarding the characteristics, features as well as areas and domains of medical imaging to be incorporated into future medical imaging apps were also dipped into.

Results:  The majority of the students, 24 (63.2%) were aware about the existence medical imaging apps nevertheless, only 14 (58.3%) among them had experienced using medical imaging apps. Most students reported positive responses towards the perceptions and usability of the apps. The students had also addressed a number of preferred characteristics, features as well as areas and domains of medical imaging to be integrated into medical imaging apps.

Conclusions: There is low appreciation towards medical imaging apps among the students as depicted by the awareness, frequency and experience in its usage. However, they portrayed positive acceptance towards future usage of the apps evaluated from their opinion regarding the perception, usability and preferences towards the content of medical imaging apps. The preferences of the respondents have been identified as revealed by their opinions regarding the most preferred areas (MRI, CT, X-ray) and domains (imaging procedure, anatomy, image quality).