Smartphone Use among Healthcare Providers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Journal Title: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY - Year 2018, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Distraction due to smartphone use in healthcare settings is a threat to patient safety. There are growing concerns regarding its negative impacts on health providers’ performance and image. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore smartphone usage among healthcare providers in Saudi public hospitals with a focus on potential distractions and risks to patient safety. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using an electronic version of a validated instrument conducted in four hospitals of Al Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia. The study sample included nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers working in main medical departments. Descriptive and bivariate analysis using SPSS (V.20) was applied. Results: The response rate was acceptable at 86% (1290). A total of 56.20% of respondents used their smartphone during working hours. Respondents who received e-mails, sent e-mails, chatted, or watched video clips 20 times or less in the previous working day were 19.40%, 14.10%, 25%, and 13.70%, respectively. A total of 43.80% of respondents agreed that smartphone use distracted them from patient care, while 42.20% believed that these distractions harmed patients. The belief that smartphone use could harm patients was significantly associated with age (P = 0.001), nationality (P = 0.000), length of experience (P = 0.000), and current position (P = 0.032). Conclusions: The patterns of smartphone utilization identified in this study pose a significant challenge to patient safety. Initiatives to reduce the negative consequences of smartphone use on patients’ outcomes and health professionals’ image are needed. Such efforts should not underestimate the role of smartphones in facilitating access of health professionals to updated medical knowledge and international clinical guidelines.
Authors and Affiliations
Khalid A. Aljohani
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP478700
- DOI -
- Views 110
- Downloads 0
Primary Leiomyosarcoma of Liver: A Rare Clinical Presentation
Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma are rare tumors with <30 cases reported in the English literature. Non-specific presentations and often diagnosis delayed until they reach a large size is the norm with therapy leading to a...
Placenta Percreta with Urinary Bladder Infiltration: A Modified Posterior Approach - A Case Report and Lessons Learnt
Placenta percreta can be one of the life-threatening obstetric emergencies. Placenta percreta involving the urinary bladder is one of the acute obstetric conditions where the urologist plays a major role in stabilizing t...
Comparative Evaluation of Ropivacaine and Lignocaine with Ropivacaine, Lignocaine, and Clonidine Combination during Peribulbar Anesthesia for Cataract Surgery
Background: Peribulbar is the most commonly used technique of anesthesia in cataract surgery, and ropivacaine is a new amino amide local anesthetic with the safer pharmacological profile. Aim: A double-blind, prospective...
How Relevant are Surgical Profile Tests Done Pre-operatively in Minor and Medium Surgical Procedures? - An Analytical Clinical Study
Background: All the patients undergoing surgery are ordered to undergo a battery of tests collectively named as surgical profile. The advantage of surgical profile is to reduce morbidity and mortality during and immediat...
A Study on the Risk Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to Open Cholecystectomy
Background: Biliary diseases constitute a major portion of digestive tract disorders. Among these, gallstone disease is the most common biliary pathology. Cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed surgery for gallbl...