An Exploration of Mobile Application Utilization: Impact on Access to and Satisfaction with Continuing Education for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of mobile applications in CRNAs access to continuing education. A second aim of this study is to explore CRNAs satisfaction with use of mobile applications for continuing education.

Continuing education (CE) credits are a required component of licensure recertification for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).1,2 CE credits can be earned through in-person simulations, workshops, lectures or via online resources.1,3,4

Mobile applications of today have transcended the personal data assistant (PDA) devices utilized in the early 2000s and have rapidly become a key aspect of healthcare practices in both hospitals and clinics.5

A descriptive, quantitative design was utilized to answer the research questions. Data was collected via an expert reviewed survey titled “CRNA Mobile Application Utilization Assessment Tool” that was distributed to a randomly generated sample of 3,000 CRNAs nationwide, with the assistance of the AANA Research Services and Assistance Department.41

The data gathered demonstrated that the older and more experienced survey respondents were less likely to agree that mobile applications improve their access to continuing education credits and were more likely to prefer attending an in-person activity to obtain CE credits. Conversely, their younger counterparts, with less work experience were more likely to agree that mobile devices improved their access to CE credits and were more satisfied with utilizing their mobile device to obtain CE credits.

Geographically, our data suggests that those CRNAs that live in a suburban setting are more likely to prefer and be satisfied with mobile devices for CE credit attainment, compared to their peers that live in urban or rural settings, who are more likely to prefer an in-person venue for CE credit attainment.