Impact of Smartphone Usage on Quality of Treatment Provided by the Physiotherapists and the Physiotherapy Interns in Out Patient Department

Abstract

Introduction: Smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. There is anecdotal evidence that health professionals are increasingly using Smartphones during their work. Smartphone use in healthcare work settings presents both opportunities and challenges. Using smartphone during clinical practice causes lack of attention, diminished capacity to remember important information and a decrement in performance which might impact the quality of treatment provided. Aims: The objective of the study is to determine the impact of smartphone usage on quality of treatment provided by the physiotherapists and the physiotherapy interns between the treatment sessions in OPD’s. Methodology: A descriptive design with convenience sampling and a self-designed questionnaire with close ended questions were used to survey 120 PTs and PT interns working in various health care sector. The questionnaire was based on various validated instruments for assessing the frequency and purpose, perception and opinion regarding the usage of smartphone during treatment. Results: In the present study, the statistical analysis showed that there is a significance difference in the frequency and purpose of smartphone usage during treatment among the groups with p value<0.002 and the perception and opinion regarding the usage of smartphone among the two groups with p value <0.001 . The physiotherapy interns scored higher in both the sections. A positive correlation is found between frequency/purpose and perception/attitude among physiotherapy interns. Conclusion: The study concluded that smartphone usage while giving treatment can alter the quality of treatment provided to the patient by the physiotherapy interns. Majority of the physiotherapy interns believe that smartphone usage while giving treatment may impact the quality of treatment during the treatment sessions in OPDs