Lived experiences of nursing students about ethical concerns of using mobile learning in educational and clinical contexts

• Main Authors: Hamid Reza Koohestani, Nayereh Baghcheghi, Mahmood Karimy, Morteza Hemmat, Morteza Shamsizadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2019-04-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine
• Subjects: Mobile learning; smartphone learning; ethical concerns; nursing student; education; clinical setting
• Online Access: https://jmehm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmehm/article/view/425

The field of education has experienced a profound change following the introduction of mobile technology over the last decades, and nursing education is not an exception. This study explored the experiences of nursing students about the ethical concerns regarding the use of mobile devices for learning purposes, that is, mobile learning, in educational and clinical contexts. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out on nursing students (n = 19) in Saveh University of Medical Sciences of Iran between December 2017 and April 2018. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with openended questions. Data analysis was done using Colaizzi’s 7-step method, revealing four the mes and nine sub-themes including: 1) preserving professional dignity (in front of the patient, and the teacher, and preserving academic virtual identity); 2) securing informed consent and respecting personal (the patient’s and teachers) autonomy; 3) proper and efficient use (observing the regulations and codes, and making educational use); and 4) avoiding harm (responsible use of class and patient data). It was revealed that using mobile technology in education could raise ethical concerns for nursing students, and this should be emphasized in nursing educational programs.