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OBJECTIVE: University teachers, who primarily provide guidance and advice to their students, can play a significant role in educational process transformation. As there is no particular e-learning framework, it is important to understand the factors and variables that may impact both its effective usage and further successful implementation. The current study aims to outline the influence of university faculty, and possible barriers preventing medical students from using apps for learning purposes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Α cross-sectional study was conducted with an online survey questionnaire. The population of the study included 1,458 students from all the seven Greek schools of medicine. RESULTS: University faculty (51.7%), followed by fellow students and friends (55.6%), constitute the second most common source of information on adopting apps for medical education. 45.8% of students rated their educational guidance as insufficient/inadequate, 33.0% as moderate, 18.6% as quite good, and only 2.7% as sufficient/complete. University professors have proposed certain apps to 25.5% of students. PubMed (41.7%), Medscape (20.9%), and Complete Anatomy (12.2%) were the leading suggestions. The main barriers to app usage were the lack of knowledge of apps' benefits (28.8%), insufficient updates of their content (21.9%), their cost-effectiveness (19.2%), and financial reasons (16.2%). Most students preferred using free apps (51.4%) and 76.7% preferred universities to cover apps' expenses. CONCLUSIONS: University faculty represent the main source of information regarding the adaptation of medical apps in the educational process. However, students need improved and enhanced guidance. The main barriers are ignorance about apps and financial reasons. The majority prefer free apps and universities to cover their cost.

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OBJECTIVE: Medical applications ("apps") can offer innovative educational capabilities, facilitating the acquisition of learning objectives and enhancing decision making. The present study aims at demonstrating the usage characteristics and relevant perceptions among students in seven medical schools in Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey. Popularity, usage patterns and medical student perceptions regarding medical apps were studied. RESULTS: A total of 1,458 undergraduate medical students participated, 99.2% owned a smartphone, 72.8% were aware of medical apps' existence, although only 53.9% used them. Apps awareness was higher in higher-ranked universities. Overall, 46% used 1-3 apps, 7.9% more than four apps. 40.3% stated apps' usage at least 1-3 times a month, followed by 16.0% using them 1-3 times per week. Only 2.5% reported daily usage. Students who used more apps tend to use them more frequently. 77.3% used at least half of the downloaded apps. Awareness of medical apps, number of apps in use and frequency of usage tend to increase in each succeeding year of study. The most popular apps and the main reasons of usage are presented in this study. Current and future perceptions have been investigated. No disparities have been observed between genders. CONCLUSIONS: Overall medical apps usage was relatively low, despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership. Quantitative traits are enhanced across the progression of medical studies. Utilization frequency is higher in those using more apps. Distinct utilization patterns were identified between preclinical and clinical students, possibly depicting particular needs, portraying apps as a special adjunctive educational tool.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate 24-hour effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of a single session of micropulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-center, one-arm, prospective study, patients with PEXG on prostaglandin analogue monotherapy with inadequate IOP control were treated with 360-degree 532nm MLT. Intraocular pressure was evaluated at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24hours after MLT. Twenty-three eyes of eighteen patients (10 male, 8 female) were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71.83±6.51 years, and the mean IOP prior to MLT was 20.61±1.8mmHg. The mean IOP was reduced by 2.17±3.31mmHg, 2.69±3.85mmHg, 0.87±3.02mmHg, 2.13±2.8mmHg and -0.87±3mmHg at 1, 4, 8 and 24hours after MLT, respectively. At 4 and 12hours after MLT, the mean IOP was statistically significantly lower compared to the pre-MLT IOP (P=0.043 and P=0.021 respectively). No eye experienced an IOP spike≥5mmHg during the first 24hours after MLT. CONCUSION: Treatment with MLT in PEXG eyes did not result in any significant, potentially dangerous IOP spikes during the first 24hours after MLT.

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