Clinical Report: A feasibility study on the use of smartphone grayscale mode

Overview

This study evaluates the feasibility of using smartphone grayscale mode among medical students to reduce screen time. Results indicate a reduction in daily screen time when using grayscale settings compared to standard color displays.

Background

Smartphones are integral to medical education and can contribute to increased screen time. Understanding its impact in a medical training context is crucial for developing effective digital behavior-change strategies.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Grayscale mode led to a statistically significant reduction in mean daily screen time (28 minutes per day; p < 0.05).
• The effect of grayscale mode was consistent across different intervention orders.
• Participants reported usability challenges with certain tasks while using grayscale mode.
• Qualitative feedback indicated reduced habitual engagement with smartphones during the grayscale condition.
• The study involved 51 first-year medical students over a two-week period.

Clinical Implications

Implementing grayscale mode on smartphones may help medical students manage their screen time more effectively. This intervention could be considered as part of broader strategies to enhance digital well-being in educational settings.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that grayscale mode is a feasible intervention for reducing smartphone screen time among medical students, warranting further exploration in diverse educational contexts.

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