Smartphone Use in Healthcare Settings Among Nurses

NCT07449533 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AU-20-10-432
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 368
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study assessed patterns of smartphone use among nurses and evaluated its impact on clinical performance and patient safety in healthcare settings in Egypt, using a convergent mixed-methods design. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2025 and February 2026 across diverse clinical settings at Alexandria University Hospitals, including critical and emergency care, medical-surgical wards, operating theaters, outpatient clinics, home care services, and psychiatric support units. Of 900 nurses invited, 368 completed the online questionnaire via Google Forms (response rate: 40.9%). Quantitative data assessed nurses' patterns of smartphone use and its impact on patient care using an adapted validated scale. Qualitative data were collected through two open-ended narrative questions exploring smartphone-related clinical incidents and recommendations for safe use. A total of 105 clinical incidents attributed to smartphone distraction were identified and categorized into four themes, while 176 respondents provided actionable recommendations categorized into five strategic pillars for safe clinical integration.

Conditions

Clinical Communication; Patient Safety; Nursing Care; Medical Errors; Mobile Applications

Keywords

Smartphone Use; Instant Messaging; Nursing Communication; Patient Safety; Instant Action; Healthcare Technology; Interprofessional Communication

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Patterns of Personal Communication Device usage.

  Evaluation of how frequently and for what duration nurses use their personal devices for both professional and personal purposes during shift hours, measured via a structured survey.

  October 2025 and February 2026

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Impact of Personal Communication Device Use on In-patient Care Indicators

  October 2025 and February 2026

• Nurses' Perceptions and Reported Clinical Incidents.

  October 2025 and February 2026

Study Arms (1)

Participating Nurses

This arm includes staff nurses to assess their patterns of personal communication device use including frequency, duration, and types of applications while simultaneously evaluating the subsequent impact of these devices on in-patient care. Through a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach, the study examines how these usage patterns influence clinical workflows, nurses' responsiveness, and overall patient safety, focusing on identifying both the professional benefits and potential risks associated with the use of personal devices in clinical settings.

Behavioral: Assessment of Personal Communication Device Usage Patterns.

Interventions

Assessment of Personal Communication Device Usage Patterns. BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete surveys and participate in interviews to assess their patterns of using personal communication devices during work hours. The intervention focuses on identifying frequency, duration, and clinical vs. personal use, as well as evaluating the perceived and actual impact of these behaviors on in-patient care quality and patient safety incidents. 368 nurses from Govermental Hospitals across medical-surgical, critical care, emergency, operating theater, outpatient, home care, and psychiatric settings

Participating Nurses

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of nurses who are actively providing direct in-patient care in clinical settings. This includes nurses from various departments such as medical-surgical units, intensive care units, and specialized wards. These professionals are primarily those who utilize personal communication devices (PCDs) during their shifts and are capable of reporting their usage patterns and clinical incidents related to patient safety.

You may qualify if:

• Device Usage: Must actively use a personal communication device (smartphone or tablet) during working hours for either personal or professional purposes.
• Work Setting: Must be assigned to in-patient care units where direct patient monitoring and interaction occur.

You may not qualify if:

• Nurses on leave or those who declined to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alexandria University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

Alexandria, 21511, Egypt

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 26, 2026
• Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)