Smartphone Technology: Impact on Interprofessional Working Relations between Doctors and Nurses.
Journal
Healthcare quarterly (Toronto, Ont.)
ISSN: 1710-2774
Titre abrégé: Healthc Q
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 101208192
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
May 2020
May 2020
Historique:
entrez:
26
4
2020
pubmed:
26
4
2020
medline:
2
12
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
For decades, the main communication technology in hospitals has been the paging system. In the era of digital communication, smartphones have been adopted by hospitals seeking to modernize processes and offer real-time, two-way communication to increase efficiency. The aim of this study was to explore physicians' and nurses' perceptions of the impact of smartphones on communication and efficiency. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare differences in item scores between physicians and nurses on 17 questionnaire items relating to smartphone impact on interpersonal relationships and communication, efficiency and reliability. An open-ended question was used to elicit additional feedback. In total, 43 nurses and 27 physicians participated in the study. Nurses' ratings were significantly higher than physicians' on a number of questionnaire items, including the following: smartphones have a positive impact on efficiency (Mdn = 4.0 vs. 3.0, U = 321.0, p = 0.027, r = .33), smartphones increase my accessibility to physicians (Mdn = 5.0 vs. 3.0, U = 277.0, p = 0.009, r = 0.42) and smartphones reduce interruptions versus pagers (Mdn = 4.0 vs. 2.0, U = 224.0, p > 0.0001, r = 0.47). The findings suggest that smartphone technology may reduce the locus of control for physicians, potentially limiting their ability to prioritize patients' needs and manage workflow efficiently.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
For decades, the main communication technology in hospitals has been the paging system. In the era of digital communication, smartphones have been adopted by hospitals seeking to modernize processes and offer real-time, two-way communication to increase efficiency.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore physicians' and nurses' perceptions of the impact of smartphones on communication and efficiency.
METHODS
METHODS
Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare differences in item scores between physicians and nurses on 17 questionnaire items relating to smartphone impact on interpersonal relationships and communication, efficiency and reliability. An open-ended question was used to elicit additional feedback.
RESULTS
RESULTS
In total, 43 nurses and 27 physicians participated in the study. Nurses' ratings were significantly higher than physicians' on a number of questionnaire items, including the following: smartphones have a positive impact on efficiency (Mdn = 4.0 vs. 3.0, U = 321.0, p = 0.027, r = .33), smartphones increase my accessibility to physicians (Mdn = 5.0 vs. 3.0, U = 277.0, p = 0.009, r = 0.42) and smartphones reduce interruptions versus pagers (Mdn = 4.0 vs. 2.0, U = 224.0, p > 0.0001, r = 0.47).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that smartphone technology may reduce the locus of control for physicians, potentially limiting their ability to prioritize patients' needs and manage workflow efficiently.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32333746
pii: hcq.2020.26174
doi: 10.12927/hcq.2020.26174
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
35-42Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Longwoods Publishing.