Objective: To determine the use of smart phones in clinical practice and to determine the perceived impact on patient safety. Study design: A closed questionnaire survey with an exploratory open question. Setting, materials and methods: A questionnaire was sent to a sample of 216 delegates that have attended courses provided by an education provider in the North West of England between 2015–2017. Results: There was a response rate of 49.5% which represented 107 returned questionnaires. The mean year of qualification is 2008. Of the respondents,105 were general dental practitioners, and two were hospital based dentists. Of the respondents, 82.2% had their smart phone in surgery, and of these 88% had the smart phone on silent, with the respondents on average receiving three texts, four emails and one call each session. Of the respondents, 40.9% were not aware that they received a text, 53.4% an email, and 37.5% a telephone call. Whilst 50.1% responded, in some way, to a text, 46.6% to an email and 62.5% to a telephone call. Of the respondents, 61.7% think that having a phone in the surgery is a distraction. Of the respondents, 20.7% stated that smart phones should not be allowed in the surgery under any circumstance, whilst 24.1% stated that they should be allowed if on silent and out of view, and 16.4% allowed their use but not in front of patients. Conclusions: Eighty-eight percent of respondents had their smart phone with them in the surgery, with 61.7% reporting it to be a distraction from their clinical duties. It is our recommendation that each clinic has a protocol or policy that governs the use of smart phones focusing on patient safety.
Objective: To determine the use of smart phones in clinical practice and to determine the perceived impact on patient safety. Study design: A closed questionnaire survey with an exploratory open question. Setting, materials and methods: A questionnaire was sent to a sample of 216 delegates that have attended courses provided by an education provider in the North West of England between 2015–2017. Results: There was a response rate of 49.5% which represented 107 returned questionnaires. The mean year of qualification is 2008. Of the respondents,105 were general dental practitioners, and two were hospital based dentists. Of the respondents, 82.2% had their smart phone in surgery, and of these 88% had the smart phone on silent, with the respondents on average receiving three texts, four emails and one call each session. Of the respondents, 40.9% were not aware that they received a text, 53.4% an email, and 37.5% a telephone call. Whilst 50.1% responded, in some way, to a text, 46.6% to an email and 62.5% to a telephone call. Of the respondents, 61.7% think that having a phone in the surgery is a distraction. Of the respondents, 20.7% stated that smart phones should not be allowed in the surgery under any circumstance, whilst 24.1% stated that they should be allowed if on silent and out of view, and 16.4% allowed their use but not in front of patients. Conclusions: Eighty-eight percent of respondents had their smart phone with them in the surgery, with 61.7% reporting it to be a distraction from their clinical duties. It is our recommendation that each clinic has a protocol or policy that governs the use of smart phones focusing on patient safety.
Authors: Leonard B Kaban; Alyssa Cappetta; Brian C George; Edward T Lahey; Jordan D Bohnen; Maria J Troulis Journal: J Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 2017-06-08 Impact factor: 1.895
Authors: Saul N Weingart; Laurinda Morway; Daniela Brouillard; Angela Cleary; Terry K Eng; Mark G Saadeh; Andrew C Seger; David W Bates; Lucian L Leape Journal: Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf Date: 2009-04