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
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