The Impact and Perception of Cell Phone Usage in a Teaching Hospital Setting

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Administration
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Cell phone use is prevalent in healthcare settings.
• Understanding perceptions of cell phone use among providers and patients is crucial for policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess healthcare providers' and patients' views on cell phone usage within a teaching hospital.
• To identify differences in perceptions based on professional roles and patient experiences.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to medical students, residents, attending physicians, and nurses regarding cell phone practices and perceptions.
• Inpatients were surveyed about their perceptions of physicians' cell phone use.

Main Results:

• All provider groups identified cell phones as a risk to patient confidentiality.
• Inpatient practitioners and physicians were more likely to perceive cell phones as beneficial to patient care compared to outpatient practitioners and nurses, respectively.
• One quarter of patients observed their physician using a cell phone, with most reporting a neutral or beneficial impact on their care.

Conclusions:

• While patient confidentiality is a shared concern, physicians and medical students show a more positive outlook on the benefits of cell phones in patient care.
• Observed physician cell phone use by patients was infrequent and generally perceived neutrally or positively.