Mobile Device Use by Doctors in Clinical Areas
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mobile Device Use by Doctors and Student Doctors in Clinical Areas
IRAS ID
227687
Contact name
Christopher Hine
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Department, University Hospital of North Midlands
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Doctors and student doctors have access to a growing number of online and electronic resources all intended to make the role more efficient, more evidence based, and safer for patients. Practically, this means a rising use of electronic devices that now encompasses a wide range of mobile devices including handheld tablets and smartphones. A number of potential dangers exist with the ever-growing rise in the use of personal mobile devices including the compromise of the personal confidentiality of each patient, the risk of increased distraction of medical staff and the use of the devices for inappropriate tasks. Considering this, there is potential for society to view the use of personal mobile devices as potentially detrimental to their care. We intend to investigate the concerns of the public on the use of Mobile Devices by Doctors and Student Doctors in a clinical setting.
We intend to use a simple questionnaire to gather information on the views of the parents, guardians or carers of children admitted to hospital. Information will be provided to the parents about the study and they will be allowed to complete the questionnaire in their own time. All responses will be fully anonymised. Completed questionnaires will be collected for analysis by the study lead with responses collated and free text answers reviewed for themes. The study will last four months, with 200 completed questionnaires to be completed. The study does not require funding and all work will be completed by the study team. Results will be published in relevant peer reviewed medical literature and conferences.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0113
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion