A SURVEY OF MOBILE PHONE USAGE BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE UK

J. Humphreys1, P. Puwanarajah1 and J. Sherwin-Smith1

1Devices 4 Limited, 275 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London, UKjh@devices4.org, pp@devices4.org, jss@devices4.org

Abstract - A survey of the mobile phone usage by registered health care professionals in the UK (n=408), demonstrated that a significant percentage of health care workers use mobile phones for various work related purposes. Given evidence that mobile technology within healthcare can improve patient care, improve employee communication and save money, these results can be used to help support the expansion, funding and acceptance and of mobile phone use within healthcare.

I. INTRODUCTION

Mobile phones have been shown to improve patient care [1]-[2]. Poor communication is also a significant waste of clinician time and health care resources [3]. Few studies have researched the use of mobile phones for communication by health care professionals (HCPs) in the UK.

II. METHOD

We carried out an online survey inviting HCPs to state both their usage of, and attitudes to, mobile phones in the work place. Respondents were approached via email and the Internet over 6 week during August and September 2010. We received 408 complete responses from registered HCPs.

III. RESULTS

80% of surveyed registered HCPs carry a mobile phone whilst at work. Of these, 82% use a phone for communicating with colleagues, 47% for accessing information on the intranet/internet, 18% for running work related software/applications. However fewer than X% claim mobile phone usage as a work related expense, and X% believe its not allowed by their employer. Of the remaining X% who do not carry a mobile at work, X% stated that they would use a phone for a work related purpose if provided with one. Across all registered HCPs surveyed, only W% disagreed with the statement “I would be more productive if I had a mobile phone for use at work.”

IV. CONCLUSION

Mobile phone usage by HCPs for work related purposes is significant, despite potential barriers of economics and policy. More should be done to improve clinical communication using mobile technology in order to improve patient care, raise employee productivity and maximise economic resources.

REFERENCES

[1] Roy G Soto et al., “Communication in critical care environments: mobile telephones improve patient care,” Anesthesia and Analgesia 102, no. 2 (February 2006): 535-541.  

[2] K Fitzpatrick and E Vineski, “The role of cordless phones in improving patient care,” Physician Assistant (American Academy of Physician Assistants) 17, no. 6 (June 1993): 87-88, 92.  

[3] Ritu Agarwal, Daniel Z Sands, and Jorge Díaz Schneider, “Quantifying the economic impact of communication inefficiencies in U.S. hospitals,” Journal of Healthcare Management / American College of Healthcare Executives 55, no. 4 (August 2010): 265-281; discussion 281-282.  

WORD COUNT:

CONFLICTS: The authors are affiliated with devices4, a registered charity that funded the research.