Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 114-121
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260214
Patterns, Purposes, and Perceptions of Mobile Health Application Use Among Medical Undergraduates
M G Madhukumar1, Suwarna2
1Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Sri Siddartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India.
2Professor, Department of Community Medicine, MVJ Medical College, Bangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: M G Madhukumar
ABSTRACT
Background: Mobile health applications are increasingly used by health professionals and trainees for learning, clinical decision support, drug reference, and patient monitoring. Medical undergraduates are digital natives who may rely on smartphones for studying and clinical preparations.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested structured questionnaire administered to a representative sample of medical undergraduates. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, smartphone ownership and Internet access, types and frequency of mobile health application use, purposes (study, clinical, reference), perceived usefulness and reliability, barriers, and willingness to pay.
Results: A total of 177 medical undergraduates participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 30 years. Most respondents were aware of mHealth apps. Eighty-five percent of students agreed or strongly agreed that mobile health applications contributed positively to their studies. More than 72% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that mobile health platforms should be implemented in medical colleges or hospitals to aid learning and clinical exposure. Of the respondents, 91% rated them as moderately to very useful for speciality preparation and residency training purposes. Students demonstrated a high interest in integrating technological solutions into medical education.
Conclusion: This indicates a high level of awareness and adoption of mobile health applications among medical undergraduates. A strong and supportive attitude toward incorporating it into formal medical education is needed. Recognition of mobile health applications as valuable learning tools for both undergraduate and postgraduate preparations. The key limitations are affordability, technical reliability, and privacy.
Keywords: Mobile health applications, Medical undergraduates, Medical colleges,