Texting While Doctoring: A Patient Safety Hazard
Authors: Christine A. Sinsky, John W. Beasley
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)

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. and John W. Beasley, MDFrom Medical Associates Clinic, Dubuque, Iowa, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.Author, 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 ...References1. Olson RL, Hanowski RJ, Hickman JS, Bocanegra J. Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation; 2009. Accessed at www.distraction.gov/research/PDF-Files/Driver-Distraction-Commercial-Vehicle-Operations.pdf on 26 May 2013. Google Scholar2. Distracted Driving Laws. Washington, DC: Governors Highway Safety Assoc; 2013. Accessed at www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html on 25 May 2013. Google Scholar3. Just MA, Keller TA, and Cynkar J. A decrease in brain activation associated with driving when listening to someone speak. Brain Res. 2008;1205:70-80. [PMID: 18353285] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Beasley JW, Wetterneck TB, Temte J, Lapin JA, Smith P, Rivera-Rodriguez AJ, et al. Information chaos in primary care: implications for physician performance and patient safety. J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24:745-51. [PMID: 22086819] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Harman JS, Rost KM, Harle CA, and Cook RL. Electronic medical record availability and primary care depression treatment. J Gen Intern Med. 2012;27:962-7. [PMID: 22311334] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Sinsky CA, Willard-Grace R, Schutzbank AM, Sinsky TA, Margolius D, and Bodenheimer T. In search of joy in practice: a report of 23 high-functioning primary care practices. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11:272-8. [PMID: 23690328] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Zheng K, Haftel HM, Hirschl RB, O'Reilly M, and Hanauer DA. Quantifying the impact of health IT implementations on clinical workflow: a new methodological perspective. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2010;17:454-61. [PMID: 20595314] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. EHR Incentive Programs, Stage 2. Accessed at www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Stage_2.html on 25 May 2013. Google Scholar9. Anderson P and Halley MD. A new approach to making your doctor-nurse team more productive. Fam Pract Manag. 2008;15:35-40. [PMID: 18763683] MedlineGoogle Scholar10. Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, ABIM Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Team-Based Competencies: Building a Shared Foundation for Education and Clinical Practice. 2011. Accessed at www.macyfoundation.org/docs/macy_pubs/Team-Based_Competencies.pdf on 25 May 2013. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Medical Associates Clinic, Dubuque, Iowa, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M13-0931.Corresponding Author: Christine A. Sinsky, MD, Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans, Department of Internal Medicine, 1000 Langworthy Street, Dubuque, IA 52001; e-mail, [email protected].Current Author Addresses: Dr. Sinsky: Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans, Department of Internal Medicine, 1000 Langworthy Street, Dubuque, IA 52001.Dr. Beasley: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Departments of Family Medicine and Industrial and Systems Engineering, 1100 Delaplaine Court, Madison, WI 53715.Author Contributions: Conception and design: C.A. Sinsky, J.W. Beasley.Drafting of the article: C.A. Sinsky, J.W. Beasley.Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: C.A. Sinsky, J.W. Beasley.Final approval of the article: C.A. Sinsky. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoTexting While Doctoring Brian Pollak Texting While Doctoring Michael E. Miller Texting While Doctoring Christine A. Sinsky and John W. Beasley Texting While Doctoring Michael E. Miller Texting While Doctoring Christine A. Sinsky and John W. Beasley Texting While Doctoring Brian Pollak Metrics Cited ByElectronic Health RecordsJohn W. Beasley, MD and Christine A. Sinsky, MDTexting While DoctoringBrian Pollak, MDTexting While DoctoringMichael E. Miller, MD December 3, 2013Volume 159, Issue 11Page: 782-783KeywordsAgingAnxietyBrainCommunication in health careComputersData acquisitionElectronic medical recordsHealth careHealth care policyHealth care utilizationLong-term careNursesOverweightPatientsPrimary careProblem solvingScientists ePublished: 3 December 2013 Issue Published: December 3, 2013 CopyrightCopyright © 2013 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...