by Holly Shoemaker
I came across an article published in the New York Times regarding how
smartphones and mobile apps could become distracting to doctors. With studies
showing more medical professionals will rely on smartphones and mobile apps
this year, this point warrants more discussion. In particular, I wonder if apps
and devices will cause physicians to violate their “breach of duty.”
Article Findings
Doctors and nurses admitted to spending more time looking at a screen rather
than interacting with patients. A neurosurgeon admitted to making a personal
call while operating on a patient. Half of the technicians surveyed said that
while running bypass machines, they texted during the procedures.
Doctors Held to Higher Standards
I am not surprised by the findings. Distractions are not just an issue for
doctors. If someone conducted the same type of study in a business setting, I
think we would find more people admitting to using devices for non-work
matters. At the same time, most of us do not have someone’s life in our hands.
Monitoring Patient Satisfaction
Some insurers use devices like iPads to assess patient satisfaction before
patients take the step of suing physicians. Using mobile devices incorrectly
could lead to an increase in lawsuits. I will elaborate on this point in an
upcoming blog. Logically, if medical staff fail to provide patients the care
owed to them, and patients have the ability to prove that, then devices could
lead to careless mistakes.
Concluding Thoughts
The issue of distractions comes down to “breach of duty.” If a physician
admits to making a personal call during surgery, a breach is made – the doctor
has not upheld his/her duty to provide the best care to the patient. While no
one has the ability to control everyone’s behavior, hospitals may provide clear
guidelines regarding what could happen if staff members use tablets, medical
mobile apps or smartphones in inappropriate ways.
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