Chris Paton*, Health Informatics Programme, Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Muzaffar Malik, Health Informatics Programme, Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Alec Holt, Health Informatics Programme, Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Track: Research Track Presentation Topic: Web 2.0 approaches for clinical practice, clinical research, quality monitoring Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: MaRS Centre Room: CR3 Date: 2008-09-05 01:30 PM – 03:00 PM Last modified: 2008-06-24

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Introduction

A new generation of smartphones is enabling high speed internet access via the mobile web browser. In this paper, we examine the unique aspects of using social media applications on mobile platforms and suggest potential uses for medical practice. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have long been used by clinicians as reference tools(1) and simple patient databases. Recent advances in mobile phone and PDA technology have allowed for high speed access to social media web applications such as social networks, blogs and wikis.

Methods

We performed a literature review and conducted technical evaluations of current social media applications designed for access on mobile platforms. In particular we examined how these applications could be used in medical practice and identified cases where health professionals have utilised mobile access to social media applications. We also performed evaluations of smartphone devices and identified the key technologies that are enabling high-speed web access on mobile devices.

Results

Most major social media applications now have specially formatted mobile versions. Recent developments in mobile hardware include 3rd Generation (3G) high speed internet access, multi-touch displays and high resolution screens. The technologies combine to offer an improved web browsing experience that enable the use of more advanced types of website such as social networks, blogs and wikis. Although there is a paucity of available research into how these mobile social media applications can be applied to medicine, there appears to be some evidence that they could be useful for patients and clinicians. Some applications, such as micro-blogging(2), appear to be more suited to mobile use than others and may have more potential for use in healthcare.

Discussion

We propose a number of medical uses for popular mobile social media applications and examine the unique technologies and methodologies that differentiate these tools from legacy mobile technology such as bleeper systems and non-connected personal digital assistant technology. We discuss the possibility for integrating the technology and techniques used by popular consumer social media applications with recent advances in clinical coding and communication standards such as SNOMED CT and HL7. As mobile access to the electronic health records become more common, so too will mobile access to medical social media applications to support the evidence based practice of medicine.

References

1. Baumgart DC. Personal digital assistants in health care: experienced clinicians in the palm of your hand?. Lancet. 366(9492):1210-22, 2005 Oct 1.

2. Ginzberg U. Twitter: applications for the health 2.0 world. Retireved May 2 2008 from http://blog.medical20.com/2007/06/twitter-applications-for-health-20.html