Mobile technology for patient care: Pitfalls and safeguards

Published: 22 April 2009

There are more mobile phones than people in the UK and, as clinicians, we need to engage with this technology. But, HILARY PINNOCK warns, there can be hidden hazards for the unwary.

Health care policy is actively promoting the use of mobile communication technology. That's why we, as clinicians, need to understand how best to use it safely for the benefit of our patients.

Telephone consultations

Advice on the safe use of telephone consulting (checking identity, compensating for the lack of visual clues, safety netting) is important. A recent study concluded that poor documentation and faulty triage were the major medico-legal problems.

Mobile telephony, however, brings additional concerns. Poor reception can lead to misunderstandings. Loss of communication may mean a consultation is abandoned prematurely. Calls received in a noisy or public environment may need to be rescheduled. Professional indemnity may not be valid if the patient is calling from abroad.

Texts

The RCN has issued practical advice on ensuring confidential, safe use of text messaging*. As with all patient contacts, a full record must be kept of the interaction.

Monitoring long-term conditions

Mobile phones have been described as the "remote control for life". Linking monitoring of long-term conditions with mobile phones is intuitively sensible and, with a growing evidence base, is likely to increase in popularity.

Such technology, however, is only as good as the supporting clinical service. Time and resources must be allocated for monitoring incoming results and patients need clear information to ensure they have realistic expectations of the clinical supervision they can expect. Technology can fail and back up procedures need to be in place.

Photographs

Photographs taken on mobile phones have aided rescue services, but clinicians should be aware that using a mobile phone which is not approved as a medical device is not appropriate.

References available on request from the editor.