scholarly journals Nurses’ Use of Personal Smartphone Technology in the Workplace: Scoping Review

10.2196/18774 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e18774
Author(s):  
Andrea de Jong ◽  
Lorie Donelle ◽  
Michael Kerr

Background There has been an increase in the technological infrastructures of many health care organizations to support the practice of health care providers. However, many nurses are using their personal digital devices, such as smartphones, while at work for personal and professional purposes. Despite the proliferation of smartphone use in the health care setting, there is limited research on the clinical use of these devices by nurses. It is unclear as to what extent and for what reasons nurses are using their personal smartphones to support their practice. Objective This review aimed to understand the current breadth of research on nurses’ personal smartphone use in the workplace and to identify implications for research, practice, and education. Methods A scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was conducted, and the following databases were used in the literature search: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Embase, MEDLINE, Nursing and Allied Health Database, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Reviews. Search terms used were Nurs* AND (personal digital technology OR smartphone OR cellphone OR mobile phone OR cellular phone). Inclusion criteria included research focused on nurses’ use of their own digital technologies, reported in English, and published between January 2010 and January 2020. Exclusion criteria were if the device or app was implemented for research purposes, if it was provided by the organization, if it focused on infection control, and if it was focused on nursing students or nursing education. Results A total of 22 out of 2606 articles met the inclusion criteria. Two main themes from the thematic analyses included personal smartphone use for patient care and implications of personal smartphone use. Nurses used their smartphones to locate information about medications, procedures, diagnoses, and laboratory tests. Downloaded apps were used by nurses to locate patient care–related information. Nurses reported improved communication among health team members and used their personal devices to communicate patient information via text messaging, calling, and picture and video functions. Nurses expressed insight into personal smartphone use and challenges related to distraction, information privacy, organizational policies, and patient perception. Conclusions Nurses view personal smartphones as an efficient method to gather patient care information and to communicate with the health care team. This review highlights knowledge gaps regarding nurses’ personal device use and information safety, patient care outcomes, and communication practices. This scoping review facilitates critical reflection on patient care practices within the digital context. We infer that nurses’ use of their personal devices to communicate among the health care team may demonstrate a technological “work-around” meant to reconcile health system demands for cost-efficiency with efforts to provide quality patient care. The current breadth of research is focused on acute care, with little research focus in other practices settings. Research initiatives are needed to explore personal device use across the continuum of health care settings.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea de Jong ◽  
Lorie Donelle ◽  
Michael Kerr

BACKGROUND There has been an increase in the technological infrastructures of many health care organizations to support the practice of health care providers. However, many nurses are using their personal digital devices, such as smartphones, while at work for personal and professional purposes. Despite the proliferation of smartphone use in the health care setting, there is limited research on the clinical use of these devices by nurses. It is unclear as to what extent and for what reasons nurses are using their personal smartphones to support their practice. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to understand the current breadth of research on nurses’ personal smartphone use in the workplace and to identify implications for research, practice, and education. METHODS A scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was conducted, and the following databases were used in the literature search: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Embase, MEDLINE, Nursing and Allied Health Database, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Reviews. Search terms used were Nurs* AND (personal digital technology OR smartphone OR cellphone OR mobile phone OR cellular phone). Inclusion criteria included research focused on nurses’ use of their own digital technologies, reported in English, and published between January 2010 and January 2020. Exclusion criteria were if the device or app was implemented for research purposes, if it was provided by the organization, if it focused on infection control, and if it was focused on nursing students or nursing education. RESULTS A total of 22 out of 2606 articles met the inclusion criteria. Two main themes from the thematic analyses included <i>personal smartphone use for patient care</i> and <i>implications of personal smartphone use</i>. Nurses used their smartphones to locate information about medications, procedures, diagnoses, and laboratory tests. Downloaded apps were used by nurses to locate patient care–related information. Nurses reported improved communication among health team members and used their personal devices to communicate patient information via text messaging, calling, and picture and video functions. Nurses expressed insight into personal smartphone use and challenges related to distraction, information privacy, organizational policies, and patient perception. CONCLUSIONS Nurses view personal smartphones as an efficient method to gather patient care information and to communicate with the health care team. This review highlights knowledge gaps regarding nurses’ personal device use and information safety, patient care outcomes, and communication practices. This scoping review facilitates critical reflection on patient care practices within the digital context. We infer that nurses’ use of their personal devices to communicate among the health care team may demonstrate a technological “work-around” meant to reconcile health system demands for cost-efficiency with efforts to provide quality patient care. The current breadth of research is focused on acute care, with little research focus in other practices settings. Research initiatives are needed to explore personal device use across the continuum of health care settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brondani ◽  
L. Donnelly

Objectives: The aim of this study was to unravel the professional and social consequences of COVID-19 as compared with the AIDS pandemic according to oral health care providers, staff, and administrators. Methods: An exploratory qualitative inquiry via at-a-distance, semistructured interviews engaged a purposefully recruited sample of oral health care team workers in British Columbia. Interviews took place between April 20 and May 15, 2020; they were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and deidentified for interactive thematic analysis. An inductive process of coding was used to identify themes, subthemes, and categories of information. Results: Forty-five interviews were conducted with 18 dentists, 12 dental hygienists, 6 certified dental assistants, and 9 administrators; 22 were females. Interviews each lasted an average of 48 min. After the transcripts were coded, 3 subthemes emerged: 1) personal protective equipment and universal precautions as commonsense approaches to care during both pandemics; 2) an (un)collapsed world in terms of global lockdowns; and 3) social unrest in terms of the potential for stigma and discrimination caused by both pandemics. These subthemes made up the COVID-19–AIDS parallel theme. Conclusion: This study explored the extent to which the current COVID-19 pandemic is leading to professional and social consequences when a parallel is drawn with the AIDS pandemic. This is the first qualitative study that identifies the potential social unrest of the pandemic from the perspective of oral health care providers and administrators. Future studies should include other providers across Canada, as well the patients receiving oral health care during this pandemic. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The COVID-19 pandemic has unraveled potential societal implications in a parallel to the HIV/AIDS era from the perspectives of oral health care providers and their staff. Such implications are changing the way that oral health care is delivered; it may also be leading to social unrest in the form of stigma and discrimination. This study discusses some of these implications from the perspective of oral health care providers and administrators.


2012 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
pp. 668-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh C. Dash ◽  
James A. Robb ◽  
David L. Booker ◽  
Wen-Chi Foo ◽  
David L. Witte ◽  
...  

Pathologists have long served as custodians of human biospecimens collected for diagnostic purposes. Rapid advancements in diagnostic technologies require that pathologists change their practices to optimize patient care. The proper handling of biospecimens creates opportunities for pathologists to improve their diagnoses while assessing prognosis and treatment. In addition, the growing need for high-quality biorepositories represents an opportunity for community pathologists to strengthen their role within the health care team, ensuring that clinical care is not compromised while facilitating research. This article provides a resource to community pathologists learning how to create high-quality biorepositories and participating in emerging opportunities in the biorepository field. While a variety of topics are covered to provide breadth of information, the intent is to facilitate a level of understanding that permits community pathologists to make more informed choices in identifying how best their skills and practice may be augmented to address developments in this field.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 676-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Cook ◽  
Manjula Maganti ◽  
Aditi Dobriyal ◽  
Michal Sheinis ◽  
Alice C. Wei ◽  
...  

Purpose: Little is known about how electronic mail (e-mail) is currently used in oncology practice to facilitate patient care. The objective of our study was to understand the current e-mail practices and preferences of patients and physicians in a large comprehensive cancer center. Methods: Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to patients and physicians (staff physicians and clinical fellows) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with current e-mail use. Record review was performed to assess the impact of e-mail communication on care. Results: The survey was completed by 833 patients. E-mail contact with a member of the health care team was reported by 41% of respondents. The team members contacted included administrative assistants (52%), nurses (45%), specialist physicians (36%), and family physicians (18%). Patient factors associated with a higher likelihood of e-mail contact with the health care team included younger age, higher education, higher income, enrollment in a clinical trial, and receipt of multiple treatments. Eighty percent of physicians (n = 63 of 79) reported previous contact with a patient via e-mail. Physician factors associated with a greater likelihood of e-mail contact with patients included older age, more senior clinical position, and higher patient volume. Nine hundred sixty-two patient records were reviewed, with e-mail correspondence documented in only 9% of cases. Conclusion: E-mail is commonly used for patient care but is poorly documented. The use of e-mail in this setting can be developed with appropriate guidance; however, there may be concerns about widening the gap between certain groups of patients.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance Lightfoot

One of the most challenging and rewarding roles for in-house hospital attorneys is serving as a member of their hospital’s Bioethics Committee (the “Committee”). As a member of the Committee, an attorney assists in developing institutional ethics policies and guidelines, and also participates in ethics consultations involving disputes about patient care. Institutions such as the Author’s employer, Texas Children’s Hospital, promote open and honest communications between members of a patient’s health care team and the patient’s parents and family; however, when communications break down, the Committee’s goal is to provide an objective forum where disputes can be discussed and hopefully resolved in a professional, ethical manner.


Author(s):  
Eviana Maya Saputri ◽  
◽  

ABSTRACT Background: Partner violence during pregnancy might contribute to the clinical conditions of pregnant women. Early assessment and supportive response are required to improve clinical diagnosis and subsequent care. This scoping review aimed to identify the partner violence screening practices of community-based health care providers in pregnant women. Subjects and Method: A scoping review method was conducted in eight stages including (1) Identification of study problems; (2) Determining priority problem and study question; (3) Determining framework; (4) Literature searching; (5) Article selec­tion; (6) Critical appraisal; (7) Data extraction; and (8) Mapping. The search included PubMed, Science Direct, EBSCO, Wiley Online Library, and ProQuest databases. The inclusion criteria were English-language and full-text articles published between 2010 and 2020. A total of 580 articles were obtained by the searched database. After the review process, eight articles were eligible for this review. The critical appraisal for searched articles were measured by Mix Methods Appraisal Tools (MMAT). The data were reported by the PRISMA flow chart. Results: Two articles from developing countries (Zimbabwe and Kenya) and six articles from developed countries (Australia, Norway, Italy, and Sweden) met the inclusion criteria with a mixed-method, qualitative, and quantitative (cross-sectional) studies. The existing studies revealed that violence screening in pregnant women was effective to increase awareness of violence by their partners. Screening practice had an empowering effect on women to disclose the violence experienced. Barriers to the health care providers performing partner violence screening included: lack of knowledge, experience and training, confidence in undertaking the screening, taboo cultural practices, and absence of domestic violence screening policies. Conclusion: Partner violence screening practice should be strongly considered at antenatal care visits. Further insights of community-based health care providers are required to perform effective screening. Keywords: partner violence screening, pregnant women, health care providers Correspondence: Eviana Maya Saputri. Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta. Jl. Siliwangi No. 63, Nogotirto, Gamping, Sleman, Yogyakarta, 55292. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: +6281367470323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.61


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth D. Rosenman ◽  
Jeremy B. Branzetti ◽  
Rosemarie Fernandez

ABSTRACT  Team leadership is a critical skill for emergency medicine physicians that directly affects team performance and the quality of patient care. There exists a robust body of team science research supporting team leadership conceptual models and behavioral skill sets. However, to date, this work has not been widely incorporated into health care team leadership education.Background  This narrative review has 3 aims: (1) to synthesize the team science literature and to translate important concepts and models to health care team leadership; (2) to describe how team leadership is currently represented in the health care literature and in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones for emergency medicine; and (3) to propose a novel, evidence-based framework for the assessment of team leadership in emergency medicine.Objective  We conducted a narrative review of the team science and health care literature. We summarized our findings and identified a list of team leadership behaviors that were then used to create a framework for team leadership assessment.Methods  Current health care team leadership measurement tools do not incorporate evidence-based models of leadership concepts from other established domains. The emergency medicine milestones include several team leadership behaviors as part of a larger resident evaluation program. However, they do not offer a comprehensive or cohesive representation of the team leadership construct.Results  Despite the importance of team leadership to patient care, there is no standardized approach to team leadership assessment in emergency medicine. Based on the results of our review, we propose a novel team leadership assessment framework that is supported by the team science literature.Conclusions


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zandra M. Glenn ◽  
Soheyla L. Mahdavian ◽  
Todd J. Woodard

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) has been a way for pharmacist to enhance their position as an integral member of the health care team as the need for improved clinical and economic outcomes in relation to the US health care system became apparent. MTM Certificate training programs are provided by numerous organizations. Collaboration Practice Agreements (CPA) are gaining significance as the role of the pharmacist is expanding in the care of patients as part of a multidisciplinary health care team. One major hurdle that many pharmacists are faced with is receiving reimbursement for the services provided. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 recognized that pharmacists play an important role in the management of patient care and that pharmacists bring an expertise and knowledge that will help to identify and resolve patient medication therapy problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinoja Sebanayagam ◽  
Nichole Chakur ◽  
Nana Ama Baffoe ◽  
Brian Reed ◽  
Jarrett Weinberger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is common in people living with HIV (PLWH). Health care providers sometimes prescribe opioids to control pain, which may lead to opioid misuse. An interdisciplinary approach that includes physical therapy has been successful in managing MSK pain in various health care settings. Therefore, we sought to find the impact of recruiting a physical therapist (PT) on the number of opioid prescriptions and physical therapy referrals made by physicians in training to manage MSK pain in PLWH. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients seen by Internal Medicine physicians in training in an HIV clinic in Detroit before (2017) and after (2018) recruiting a PT to the health care team and collected demographic and clinical data. We also surveyed the trainees to assess how the PT addition influenced their learning. Institutional review board waiver was obtained. Results Results showed that of all PLWH seen at the clinic, 28/249 (11%) and 37/178 (21%) had chronic MSK pain in the 2017 and 2018 data sets, respectively. In 2017, all 28 patients with MSK pain were prescribed opioids. This decreased in 2018 after the PT addition (10/37 patients; P &lt; .0001). The number of physical therapy referrals significantly increased after the PT addition (2017: 5/28 patients; 2018: 17/37 patients; P = .03). Trainees felt that the PT helped improve their examination skills and develop a treatment plan for patients. Conclusions The addition of a PT encouraged physicians in training to utilize nonopioid management of MSK pain in PLWH and enhanced their learning experience, as perceived by the trainees.


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