Free iPhones for Leeds medical students

The University of Leeds has issued free iPhones to all its fourth and fifth year medical students to aid them in their studies.

Under this pioneering scheme, over 500 medical students have been loaned the iPhone 3GS 16GB.

At this stage of their degree, undergraduates spend most of their time on placement in hospitals, surgeries and clinics. The provision of free iPhones aims to provide them with instant access to reference materials and keep them in regular contact with tutors.

David Cottrell, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds, said: “This is a fantastic scheme and one that Leeds should be proud of. By equipping our students with smartphones, we are putting a whole suite of training tools and educational resources in the palm of their hand.”

The phones have unlimited mobile broadband connectivity and are pre-loaded with a range of applications relevant to their studies. Text and phone functions are also available to students on a pay-as-you-go basis. The phones must be returned to the university after graduation.

Ian Braithwaite, a fourth year medical student at the University of Edinburgh, told The Journal: “I often use my iPhone when I’m at the hospital. When you’re at the bedside, it’s impossible to start flipping through piles of books – it takes too long and you can’t carry all the information around with you. Using apps like the Oxford Clinical Handbook is really the quickest way to access information. Anything that encourages medical students to look up information as they go is a good thing. It makes it much easier to learn.”

Mr. Braithwaite added: “Buying all the handbooks, manuals and guides that you need for clinical study is really expensive, but providing students with iPhones means this isn’t necessary.”

The iPhones give students the ability to record notes on interesting cases whilst still on the ward and test their knowledge of procedures and protocols they have just observed.

The University of Leeds has stressed that patient safety is paramount. Students will not be able to access confidential patient databases and if their phones are lost or stolen information on them can be wiped and disabled remotely.

The smartphones are also considered a more hygienic resource than textbooks and notepads as they can be kept clean using antiseptic wipes. Mobile phone technology is no longer uncommon on wards as it is increasingly being used by doctors and healthcare workers. Over three million doctors have downloaded an application that allows them to use the iPhone as a stethoscope.