UC Irvine’s iMedEd Initiative proves iPad’s worth in medical education

In 2010, UC Irvine launched its iMedEd initiative, which provided incoming students with fully loaded iPads that students would use throughout their coursework. Two years later, that first iMedEd class scored an average of 23% higher on their national exams than previous UC Irvine medical school classes, despite having similar incoming GPAs and MCAT scores. The achievement caught Apple’s eye, and this year, iMedEd Initiative will be honored with The Apple Distinguished Program designation, which is reserved for exemplary programs that integrate Apple technology into education. The iMedEd Initiative was the first medical school program in the nation to build a completely digital, interactive learning environment into its curriculum. Students’ iPads include digital textbooks, podcasts of lectures, and other multimedia applications that complement their coursework. For example, students can review data such as EKGs and other bedside monitoring equipment that is securely transmitted to their device. The UC Irvine students have become technology innovators forming groups that review the latest technology offerings to see if they can be incorporated into the curriculum and even collaborating with computer science students to create new applications. During a 10-day event called the Med AppJam 100 students created 19 new apps, including one focused on acute care during natural disasters. It’s exciting to see the next generation of physicians embracing healthcare technology and getting real benefits from using it. Hopefully the improvement in test scores in the academic world will translate into improved outcomes in the clinical setting.