**8.1 Access to medical information**

Mobile phones facilitate access to medical information, particularly medicinal information, as they are more ergonomic and faster than consulting a paper book. The challenge for professionals is to identify validated applications that meet a real need and save time. Of the large number of applications available in the health sector, very few survive this triple filter.

Many specialists therefore stick to the applications proposed for their specialty, in addition to Vidal, which is appreciated by all.

Several learned societies and colleges of specialties offer specialized applications. This makes it possible to take advantage of reference systems and decisionmaking algorithms in just a few clicks.

#### **8.2 Telemedicine, telemontoring, tele-expertise**

The non-health-specific consumer platforms, Facebook (WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram) and Google (Google Maps, YouTube and Google Play) largely dominate the mobile offer, but these applications do not allow the secure exchange of medical information.

TeamDoc has been proposed as a secure mobile application to replace WhatsApp, with features designed for healthcare professionals, which can be used in hospitals, clinics and private practices.

In the face of the coronavirus, many creative ideas and skills have led to the rapid launch of health applications [24].

A surgeon can now seek the expertise of a remote colleague at any time of the day through the transmission of images and videos. The use of social networking and instant messaging services is of real interest to developing countries because of its availability in remote and rural areas and its cost effectiveness [64].

With the new communication platforms, medical education has become more easily accessible.

The recording of an operation has become easy and reproducible with the Smartphone, thus allowing the creation of multimedia repertoires of great educational value.

Telementoring allows an experienced surgeon, located at a distance, to mentor a second operator in real time, thus boosting the dissemination of scholarly knowledge across borders and covering previously inaccessible geographical areas.

#### **8.3 Simulation of surgical interventions by smartphone using virtual reality**

Virtual Reality is being used to train and support healthcare professionals during initial and continuing training, during the simulation of surgical gestures and interventions, and during therapeutic treatments.

This directly therapeutic dimension of virtual reality is rare in the world of digital tools.

#### **8.4 The advent of applications dedicated to learning**

Several medical applications allow surgical trainees to become familiar with surgical interventions and to facilitate the learning of anatomy. Simulation is a validated method of medical learning. Simulations of certain surgical procedures have even become possible with several case scenarios [64].

#### **8.5 Making laparoscopic Pelvi-trainers**

It has become quite possible to create a laparoscopic surgery simulation box using a Smartphone. Improving skills through continuous practice is becoming an increasing priority in surgical training programs. It is an inexpensive, easily assembled, reproducible solution that is readily available as a useful tool for learning and improving laparoscopic techniques [65].
