Abstract
Abstract: Introduction: Mobile learning offers several benefits, such as new learning environments. We developed and validated a smartphone application for orthopedics and traumatology residents in an attempt to assist their study and, consequently, pass the Board of Orthopedics and Traumatology Exam. Methods: quantitative study, aimed at the validation of a mobile application. It was developed for the iOS® and Android® platforms, in the Portuguese language, and free of charge. 132 participants, divided into three groups, used the tool. A validated questionnaire - System SUS Scale (SUS) - and a questionnaire created by the authors (properly validated) were used to assess the practicality and viability of the application as a learning tool. The mode, the absolute frequency and the percentage of the studied variables were crossed by Fisher's test or Pearson's chi-square test. Results: of the 132 participants, 55.3% have iOS®. All participants said they had already used an application on their smartphones, whereas 6 (4.5%) mentioned never having used applications for academic purposes (p value <0.001). 100% said it was a useful technology in the resident's theoretical development. 124 (93.9%) agreed it was an auxiliary learning method for orthopedic doctors in general. An average SUS score of 84.2 (SD 10.8) was obtained with a margin of error of 1.9. The SUS score varied between 82.4 and 86.1 (95% CI). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.797. Conclusion: the developed application was successful in the tests performed and can be an alternative in medical education in the orthopedic area.
Highlights
Mobile learning offers several benefits, such as new learning environments
MATERIALS AND METHODS App development. The development of this application involved the following steps: review of the available education and training applications in orthopedics and comparison with evidence-based practices; creation of an initial database of questions based on the bibliography proposed by the Teaching and Training Committee (TTC) of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT); selection of strategies to change behavior and guidelines to be used in the application; development of the interfaces and designs of the application; and selection of participants for the application of the validation test
It is possible to choose between a customized test, a simulation according to the suggestion by SBOT, a summary of the user’s profile and information about the development and version of the application
Summary
Mobile learning offers several benefits, such as new learning environments. We developed and validated a smartphone application for orthopedics and traumatology residents in an attempt to assist their study and, pass the Board of Orthopedics and Traumatology Exam. Teaching through m-learning enables the simulation of complex systems, along with the benefit of promoting a large number of perspectives with a high quality of visualization and interaction[2] In this context, ICTs, according to each modality, can enable the creation of new learning environments, allowing remote and/or online access to training platforms[3], increasing communication and distance learning. There are several practical training methods for orthopedic surgeons, including hands-on training with synthetic bones or cadavers, and the use of software and computer simulators for planning and simulating situations in 3D environments[5] This reduces financial costs and brings about improvements in skills development, the handling of surgical instruments, competence to reach the learning curve earlier, better assessment of the acquired techniques, and perhaps most importantly, the maximization of the patient’s safety[6]
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