Physicians are constantly interrupted – it’s a part of the job to respond to staff questions, pharmacy messages and calls from other physicians. Now there is concern that electronic devices cause distractions that could harm patients.
More than 80% of physicians carry smartphones and almost as many use iPads and other tablet computers. Many health professionals are using mobile devices while delivering care: looking up pharmaceutical references, accessing patient information, educating patients and communicating with colleagues. The problems arise when non-clinical messages interrupt – one can’t predict what that buzzing is about.
Even the most mentally facile don’t have the unlimited ability to pay attention to many things at once. No matter how well trained the physician, it is better to complete a task than try to engage in parallel tasks. But mobile-tech devices do allow us to work more efficiently and more accurately – it’s far easier to determine complex drug interactions with computer assistance.
Some health care organizations will only allow the use of employer-supplied mobile devices that restrict access to social networking and personal email sites. We physicians manage competing demands for our attention. It’s important that we don’t become overwhelmed by outside information.
Adding to the fray – it’s very disruptive when a patient’s cell phone erupts during a visit. The patient become distracted if he answers and equally distracted if he doesn’t answer and wonders what he missed.
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