Dentists' perceptions of smart phone use in the clinical environment.

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.