Posted: April 29th, 2024

The use of smartphones in inpatient management and education

The use of smartphones in inpatient management and education

Smartphones are handheld devices that combine advanced mobile communication and computation capabilities, as well as the ability to run third-party software applications [1]. The number of smartphone users is growing rapidly, including among healthcare professionals and patients [1-3]. In this blog post, we will explore how smartphones can be used for inpatient management and education, and what are the benefits and challenges of this technology.

Inpatient management refers to the process of providing care and treatment to patients who are admitted to a hospital or other healthcare facility. Inpatient management involves various tasks such as diagnosis, medication administration, monitoring, documentation, communication, and discharge planning [4]. Smartphones can support these tasks by offering various functionalities, such as:

– Disease diagnosis: Smartphones can be used to access clinical decision support systems, medical calculators, diagnostic tools, and reference materials that can help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat various conditions [1,5].
– Drug reference: Smartphones can provide information on drug dosage, interactions, side effects, contraindications, and availability, which can improve medication safety and adherence [1,6].
– Literature search: Smartphones can enable healthcare professionals to access online databases, journals, books, and guidelines that can provide evidence-based information for clinical practice [1,7].
– Clinical communication: Smartphones can facilitate communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, patients, and family members through voice calls, text messages, emails, video calls, and social media platforms [1,8].
– Hospital Information System (HIS) client applications: Smartphones can connect to the HIS of the healthcare facility and allow healthcare professionals to access and update patient records, order tests and medications, view results and reports, and schedule appointments [1,9].
– Medical education: Smartphones can be used for continuing professional development and lifelong learning by healthcare professionals. They can also be used for medical education by students who can access learning materials, quizzes, simulations, podcasts, and lectures on their smartphones [1,10].
– Patient education: Smartphones can be used to educate patients about their condition, treatment plan, self-care instructions, discharge information, and follow-up care. They can also be used to provide reminders, feedback, motivation, and support to patients through interactive applications [1,11].

The use of smartphones for inpatient management and education has several benefits for both healthcare professionals and patients. Some of these benefits are:

– Improved quality of care: Smartphones can provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive information that can enhance clinical decision making, reduce errors, increase efficiency, and improve patient outcomes [1-3].
– Enhanced patient satisfaction: Smartphones can improve patient satisfaction by providing them with more information, involvement, empowerment, convenience, and comfort in their care [1-3].
– Increased accessibility: Smartphones can increase the accessibility of healthcare services by enabling remote consultation,
monitoring, education, and follow-up care for patients who live in rural areas or have limited mobility [1-3].
– Reduced costs: Smartphones can reduce the costs of healthcare delivery by decreasing the need for unnecessary tests,
medications, hospitalizations, readmissions, and travel expenses [1-3].

However, the use of smartphones for inpatient management and education also poses some challenges that need to be addressed. Some of these challenges are:

– Security and privacy: Smartphones can pose a risk of data breach or loss if they are lost,
stolen or hacked. Therefore,
smartphone users need to follow strict security measures such as encryption,
authentication,
password protection,
and data backup. They also need to comply with the relevant laws
and regulations regarding the protection of personal health information [1-3].
– Reliability
and validity: Smartphones may not always provide reliable
and valid information due to technical issues,
poor network connectivity,
low battery life,
or inaccurate or outdated applications. Therefore,
smartphone users need to verify the source
and quality of the information they access
and use on their smartphones. They also need to update their applications regularly
and seek professional advice when in doubt [1-3].
– Distraction
and addiction: Smartphones may cause distraction
and addiction among healthcare professionals
and patients who may overuse or misuse them for personal or recreational purposes. This may affect their attention,
concentration,
performance,
and safety. Therefore,
smartphone users need to limit their smartphone use
and follow the appropriate etiquette
and policies regarding smartphone use in the healthcare setting [1-3].

In conclusion,
smartphones are powerful tools that can be used for inpatient management
and education. They offer various functionalities that can improve the quality,
satisfaction,
accessibility,
and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery. However,
they also present some challenges that need to be overcome by following proper security,
reliability,
and ethical practices. Therefore,
smartphone users need to be aware of the benefits
and risks of smartphone use
and use them wisely
and responsibly.

References:

[1] Mosa AS, Yoo I, Sheets L. A systematic review of healthcare applications for smartphones. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2012;12:67. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-12-67

[2] Valle J, Godby T, Paul DP III, Smith H, Coustasse A. Use of smartphones for clinical and medical education. Health Care Manag (Frederick). 2017;36(3):293-300. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCM.0000000000000176

[3] Albrecht UV, von Jan U, Sedlacek L, Groos S, Suerbaum S, Vonberg RP. Standardized, App-Based Disinfection of Smartphones Reduces Pathogenic Bacteria in Hospital Settings. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(11):e16399. https://doi.org/10.2196/16399

[4] Kohn LT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS, editors. To err is human: building a safer health system. Washington (DC): National Academies Press; 2000.

[5] Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone app use among medical providers in ACGME training programs. J Med Syst. 2012;36(5):3135-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-011-9798-7

[6] Haffey F, Brady RR, Maxwell S. A comparison of the reliability of smartphone apps for opioid conversion. Drug Saf. 2013;36(2):111-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-013-0015-0

[7] Boruff JT, Storie D. Mobile devices in medicine: a survey of how medical students, residents, and faculty use smartphones and other mobile devices to find information*. J Med Libr Assoc. 2014;102(1):22-30.
https://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.102.1.006

[8] Wu RC, Morra D, Quan S, Lai S, Zanjani S, Abrams H, Rossos PG.
The use of smartphones for clinical communication on internal medicine wards.
J Hosp Med.
2010;5(9):553-9.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.775

[9] Lee JH,
Kim Y,
Choi S,
Kim G,
Jeon Y,
Kim MJ,
et al.
Mobile device-based electronic data capture system used in a clinical randomized controlled trial: advantages and challenges.
J Med Internet Res.
2017;19(3):e66.
https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7258

[10] Bullock A,
Dimond R,
Webb K,
Lovatt J,
Hardyman W,
Stacey M.
How a mobile app supports the write my essay learning and practice of newly qualified doctors in the UK: an intervention study.
BMC Med Educ.
2015;15:71.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-015-0356-x

[11] Palmas W,
Teresi JA,
Findley S,
Eimicke JP,
Pérez A,
Feldman PH,
et al.
Protocol for the Northern Manhattan Diabetes Community Outreach Project (NOCHOP): randomised trial of a community health worker intervention to improve diabetes care in Hispanic adults.
BMJ Open.
2014;4(4):e004306.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004306

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