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Mobile phone use on a young person's unit
Jacquelyn Bell1, Fiona Finlay, Anna Baverstock
1Community Child Health, Newbridge Hill, Bath.
Paediatric Nursing
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Young patients benefit from mobile phone use on hospital wards, fostering connections and reducing isolation. A flexible approach is recommended, as advantages outweigh potential risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Adolescent Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Young people have distinct social needs compared to younger children.
- Hospitalization can lead to isolation and boredom for adolescents.
- Mobile phone use is prevalent among young individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mobile phone usage patterns among young patients in a hospital setting.
- To gather perspectives from nursing staff and young patients on the benefits of mobile phone use.
- To inform hospital policies regarding adolescent patient communication.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study was conducted involving 50 young patients and 9 nursing staff members.
- Pre-piloted questionnaires were administered to assess mobile phone access and usage.
- Data collection occurred over a four-week period in a young person's hospital unit.
Main Results:
- The majority of young patients had access to mobile phones on the ward.
- 75% of patients who could use their phones made calls or sent texts.
- Nursing staff recognized phones as beneficial for maintaining social contact and alleviating boredom.
Conclusions:
- Mobile phone use supports young patients' social needs, helping to combat isolation.
- Hospital policies should adopt a more flexible approach to mobile phone usage.
- The benefits of mobile phone use for adolescent patients significantly outweigh the associated risks.
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