We all like free things. This is one of the reasons the MLA has identified finance as a barrier to staying on top of medical literature. Their research indicated the ‘financial burden’ of acquiring tools can lead to unequal access. Resulting in high demand for free, reliable resources.¹ That’s where we want to focus, on that final statement.
The ‘high demand’ certainly seems to be there. The number of healthcare professionals thought to be using medical apps varies from 43–90% depending on the source and the definition, but it is certainly on the rise.²-⁵
There are a wealth of apps now available to meet this demand,⁶ but it also seems the demand for free is being recognized. We did a bit of research. Out of 20 of the most popular medical apps used by healthcare professionals, 65% of them were free. Including QxMD, both for clinicians and institutions. However, the average cost of the paid apps* was significant at $417 per year for individual clinicians (all of them also offered institution subscriptions).
This got us thinking, if in 65% of instances finance isn’t a barrier, what is stopping clinicians and institutions from using free apps? A survey by Deloitte asked this question to clinicians who said they don’t use mobile apps; 44% of clinicians claimed their work won’t provide mobile devices and they are unwilling to use their own, 29% said they were worried about patient privacy and 26% said the apps weren’t suited to their needs.³
We found the first stat surprising. It seems to be contradictory to the MLAs research. Their members and focus groups expressed a desire for “improved and easier access via mobile devices” and “improved remote access for offsite and after hours use of information resources.”¹ At QxMD we are proud that the app is easily available from anywhere on any device. Meeting the demands of the modern clinician. But we understand the huge importance of work-life balance and believe the app can be incorporated into different reading habits.
Of course, the real value in a tool is not how cheap it is, but the money it can save you. If you’ve read the first three articles in this series you’ll know that Read by QxMD helps you find free articles, gives you easier access to institution subscriptions and best of all; saves you time by finding the research you need. A free app that helps reduce costs. A win win that’s responding to the demands of the industry.
*Prices assume a physician based in the US, prices often differ for students, etc.
- https://read.qxmd.com/read/33424474/
- https://mhealth.jmir.org/2019/6/e13199/)
- https://www.mobihealthnews.com/22391/survey-43-percent-of-doctors-use-mobiles-for-clinical-purposes
- https://read.qxmd.com/read/24883008/mobile-devices-and-apps-for-health-care-professionals-uses-and-benefits
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81278-5
- https://www.iqvia.com/-/media/iqvia/pdfs/institute-reports/digital-health-trends-2021/iqvia-institute-digital-health-trends-2021.pdf?&_=1632248114353
