The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 6 (Dec 2014) | Page 13

Industry News

BIR’s First App Launches with
Mission to Transform Learning for
Doctors
An ambitious new mobile app has been
launched by the British Institute of Radiology (BIR) to transform how doctors
study for their professional qualifications.
This is the BIR's first ever app as the
historic organisation seeks to respond to
the rapid rise in smartphone and tablet
use among young doctors. It is compatible with iPhones, iPads and the iPod
touch, as well as a variety of Android
smartphones and tablets.
Imaging Single Best Answer was developed
by Apadmi, the UK's leading mobile
app developer, which saw off bids from
approximately 15 other companies in an
open tender over the summer to secure
the right to work with the BIR.
The BIR, which can trace its roots back
to 1897, is the oldest radiological society in the world. Today, it is a globally
recognised membership organisation for
healthcare professionals working with
imaging science and radiation technologies such as X-rays, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.

The app helps trainee radiologists prepare for the Royal
College of Radiologists' Final
FRCR (Part A) Exam. It features
a total of 450 questions across
each of the six exam modules:
cardiothoracic and vascular;
musculoskeletal and trauma;
gastro-intestinal; genito-urinary,
adrenal, obstetrics and gynaecology and breast; paediatric; and
central nervous system and head
and neck.
It has two different modes of
assessment. The 'test' function
presents users with a number of multiple
choice questions in which they are given
the summary findings from a scan and
invited to select the best diagnosis. They
will then be shown the single best answer
along with a detailed explanation of why
this is the case. Meanwhile, the 'exam'
function enables students to sit the same
questions under timed exam conditions
before reviewing their answers and
detailed explanations at the end.
The app records all of the user's scores,
giving them the opportunity to see how
much they have improved over time.
In addition, all data is pre-loaded into the
app so that it can operate offline. This
means it is suitable for use in areas with
poor internet access such as during the
daily commute, on the tube or in rural
areas.
Nick Black, co-founder and director of
Apadmi, said: "It has been a real privilege for our team to create the British
Institute of Radiology's first ever app.”
"Every doctor needs to embrace continuing professional development in order to
improve their knowledge and skills over
time, but many healthcare organisations
have yet to take advantage of the huge
benefits that apps can bring to the learning process. Imaging Single Best Answer
is a great example of how apps can help

the healthcare sector."
Sophia Anderton, head of publishing at
the British Institute of Radiology, said:
"We're really happy with the Imaging
Single Best Answer app.”
"Following a highly competitive pitching process, we decided to work with
Apadmi because the team came across
extremely professionally and had clearly
researched the British Institute of Radiology and our requirements in detail.
This is our first ever app so we had a lot
to learn about the creative process, but
Apadmi's team were great at answering
our questions and coming up with sensible suggestions to guide us through.
What's more, the app was completed on
time and on budget, and both the iOS
and Android versions are very intuitive
and easy to use.
"We're confident that the Imaging Single
Best Answer app will transform how
doctors revise for their exams by enabling
them to learn at a time and place that
suits them. By helping doctors develop
their skills in a more modern way, this
app will hopefully improve patient outcomes and ultimately save lives."
The Imaging Single Best Answer app is
available to download on the App Store
and Google Play. For more information,
please visit www.apadmi.com. n

The Journal of mHealth

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