Texting While Doctoring: A Patient Safety Hazard

Abstract

Ideas and OpinionsDecember 3, 2013Texting While Doctoring: A Patient Safety HazardChristine A. Sinsky, MD and John W. Beasley, MDChristine A. Sinsky, MDFrom Medical Associates Clinic, Dubuque, Iowa, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.Search for more papers by this author and John W. Beasley, MDFrom Medical Associates Clinic, Dubuque, Iowa, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-11-201312030-00012 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Texting while driving is associated with a 23-fold increased risk for crashing (1) and is illegal in most states (2). Using a cell phone while driving reduces the amount of brain activity devoted to driving by 37% (3). Multitasking is dangerous—cognitive scientists have shown that engaging in a secondary task disrupts primary task performance (3).Might physician typing into electronic health records pose similar risks? As when driving, physicians also need to be alert to environmental cues and unexpected turns. Multitasking can undermine the core activities of observation, communication, problem solving, and developing trusting relationships. Although it can be argued ...