It is becoming increasingly popular to use mobile devices within a clinical setting for various activities associated with medical education. Skills that have traditionally been signed off on paper, and feedback from professionals that has traditionally been gathered using forms can be now be recorded electronically, offline, on a student’s or preceptor’s phone or tablet. Other benefits of offline mobile assessment in clinical settings include:
While staff and students become quickly accustomed to using mobile technology in clinical settings, patients who may be unaware of why mobile devices are being used, could potentially deem this practice as unprofessional. Students really do worry about this, and some more experienced professionals may have very justifiable concerns about how the patient may see this.
‘Is that young person in a white coat really messaging their friends while they are supposed to be giving me their full attention?’
or
‘Why are the whole group of medics always on the phone or tablet – are they just playing online games?’
Without clear communication, there is real scope for misunderstanding here, and a perceived lack of professionalism. So, what can be done to clear this up?
Based on our users’ experiences of maintaining professionalism, we have some simple tips on how to effectively communicate to patients why students and staff may be using mobile devices within clinical environments.
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