Dentists' perceptions of smart phone use in the clinical environment

Wright, SP; Crofts, GS; Ucer, TC; Speechley, SD

Abstract

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.

Citation

Wright, S., Crofts, G., Ucer, T., & Speechley, S. (2018). Dentists' perceptions of smart phone use in the clinical environment. British Dental Journal, 225(4), 320-324. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.642

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 23, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Aug 24, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 24, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 26, 2018
• Journal: British Dental Journal
• Print ISSN: 0007-0610
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Volume: 225
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 320-324
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.642
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.642
• Related Public URLs: https://www.nature.com/bdj/