745 Does a Smartphone Application Improve Medical Students and New ENT Junior Doctors Confidence When Dealing with ENT Clinical Scenarios?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Through the use of online applications, doctors can efficiently access an abundance of medical information to ease transition into subspecialities. This is valuable for otolaryngology in which junior doctors may possess little prior experience. The development of a electronic application within otolaryngology may improve doctors’ ability to carry out the junior doctor role. Method A cohort of 10 junior doctors and 10 medical students based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with no prior clinical otolaryngology experience were asked to rate their confidence in approaching 5 common otolaryngology scenarios before and after being granted access to a clinical e-application. The otolaryngology application was locally constructed and included important otolaryngology information and resources for the junior doctor role. Results During the course of the project, every single participant showed an increase in their confidence score when dealing with each scenario following access to the application. This was true for both medical students and junior doctors. Junior doctor confidence scores increased for every scenario following access to the otolaryngology application with an overall average increase of 148%. Medical student confidence scores also increased for every scenario following access to the application with an overall average increase in confidence of of 124%. Discussion ENT smartphone applications have been shown to be successful in providing relevant information to medical students and junior doctors to develop their confidence in approaching common clinical scenarios. The provision of such a resource for surgical subspecialties promotes a further step towards a paperless NHS as well as a standardised way of approaching patient care.