The use of mobile devices for professional applications has increased dramatically in the past 5 years.  Such devices have the ability to speed information exchange, but may also create unfair expectations with regards to physician responsiveness and may extend actual work hours.  The survey explored how physicians used these devices in their clinical practices.

The number of respondents to this survey was somewhat higher than usual, possibly indicating greater interest among readership in this specific topic.  Of those responding, over 97% currently use a smart phone.  This high percentage of affirmative responses likely reflects the level of interest among respondents, but may also be a reflection of the penetration of smart phones into the mobile market.

The most common operating system by far was Apple, with the clear second favorite being Android.  Nearly 75% of respondents were either in their 30s or 40s.  More than half the respondents were practicing surgeons, while 30% were surgeons in training.  Almost all of the respondents were male.

Most smart phones were used in a variety of applications, probably in similar percentages to how non-physicians use such phones: e-mail, texting, web surfing, and using apps.  The single most common use was e-mail, followed by texting, web browsing, and medical apps. 

Similar numbers of respondents, just over one-third each, were practicing in North America or Europe.

1. Do you own and use a smartphone?
	answered question		274
	skipped question		3
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		97.4%	267
No		2.6%	7

2. What is the operating system for the smartphone you primarily use?
	answered question		274
	skipped question		3
		Response Percent	Response Count
Android		23.4%	64
Apple		56.6%	155
Blackberry		9.5%	26
Microsoft		4.7%	13
Other		5.1%	14
Don’t know		0.7%	2

3. What is your age range?
	answered question		277
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
< 21 years		0.0%	0
21 – 30 years		12.6%	35
31 – 40 years		41.5%	115
41 – 50 years		31.8%	88
51 – 60 years		10.8%	30
61 – 70 years		3.2%	9
>70 years		0.0%	0

4. Select the single category that best describes you:
	answered question		277
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Medical Student		2.5%	7
Surgery Resident		14.8%	41
Thoracic Surgery Fellow		15.2%	42
Advanced Training Fellow		6.1%	17
Attending Surgeon		55.6%	154
Cardiologist		1.4%	4
Anesthesiologist		0.4%	1
Physician assistant or nurse practitioner		1.8%	5
Industry professional		0.0%	0
Other		2.2%	6

5. What is your gender?
	answered question		276
	skipped question		1
		Response Percent	Response Count
Male		94.9%	262
Female		5.1%	14

6. Excluding the telephone function, for what do you use your smartphone in your practice (choose all that apply):
	answered question		271
	skipped question		6
		Response Percent	Response Count
Email		87.1%	236
Text Messaging		81.2%	220
Web Browsing		83.0%	225
Medical Apps		78.2%	212
Non-medical Apps		59.4%	161
CME activity		15.5%	42
Non-CME Educational Activities		11.8%	32
Other		25.5%	69

7. Excluding the telephone function, what is the most frequent use of your smartphone in your practice?
	answered question		274
	skipped question		3
		Response Percent	Response Count
Email		38.3%	105
Text Messaging		25.2%	69
Web Browsing		16.8%	46
Medical Apps		11.7%	32
Non-medical Apps		3.6%	10
CME activity		1.1%	3
Non-CME Educational Activities		1.1%	3
Other		2.2%	6

8. How would you describe you comfort with smartphone technology?
	answered question		272
	skipped question		5
		Response Percent	Response Count
Not at all knowledgeable		1.5%	4
Know a little about their use		6.6%	18
Average knowledge		34.2%	93
Know a lot about them		41.9%	114
Expert		15.8%	43

9. In what region do you practice or train?
	answered question		276
	skipped question		1
		Response Percent	Response Count
North America		34.4%	95
Europe		37.3%	103
Asia		14.1%	39
Africa		2.5%	7
Central or South America		11.2%	31
Australia/New Zealand		0.4%	1