The use of health applications for mobile devices as sources of information and education in healthcare

Abstract

Applications for mobile devicesarebrand new sources of information heavily used by hyperconnectedindividuals, the so-called “thumb generation”, who, going beyond recreational use, refer to these mobile technologies in an educational context, innovating the teaching-learning process. This paper posits that university libraries should be used as spaces for teaching and encouraging the use of mobile devices as educational tools, since the pervasiveness of tablets and especially smartphones strengthen the concept of mobile learning and widen their possible functions inside the physical space of the library. Taking into consideration the reality of a university library whose patronsarehealth and medicinemajors, our focus will be on health applications used as sources of information, communication and education. In this scenario of technological innovations that alter the ways to access and use scientific information, the librarian should take on the role of the mediator and facilitator between these technological advances and their potential users.