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Smartphones in clinical practice: doctors' experience at two Dublin paediatric teaching hospitals
Taha S El Hadidy1, Abdulrahman E Alshafei2, Alan E Mortell3
1Cardiff City Centre, Apt 95 Havvanah Street, Sovereign Quay, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5SF, UK. tahahadid@gmail.com.
Introduction:
We conducted a study at two main centres for paediatric surgery in the Republic of Ireland, Temple Street Children's University Hospital (TSCUH) and Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC).
Aim:
The aim of the study was to assess doctors' opinions, frequency and methods of smartphone use in clinical practice.
Methods:
Doctors (n = 265) at the two hospitals were invited to complete a 12-item survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated accordingly.
Results:
Almost 50% (132/256) responded; 98.4% owned a smartphone and 76% owned an iPhone. Seventy-nine percent used medical apps and 59% used the OLCHC formulary. Ninety-seven percent used smartphones for inter-team communication with 73.5% (n = 97) using WhatsApp. Smartphone camera was used by 57% for clinical photos and 41% for photos of radiological imaging. Only 42% reported obtaining consent for smartphone camera use from patients or guardians. Ninety-two percent either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that smartphones positively impact their practice.
Conclusion:
Smartphone usage is universal among healthcare professionals and their influence is growing in patient care.
