Report: Physicians Smartphone Adoption Skyrockets

Physicians across the U.S. are adopting mobile communications at point of care to improve communications and collaboration, streamline productivity, and enhance patient care and safety, according to a report from Menlo Park, Calif.-based Spyglass Consulting Group.

The report reveals 94 percent of physicians are using smartphones to communicate, manage personal and business workflows, and access medical information. This represents a 60 percent increase from Spyglass’ findings in a similar study published in November 2006 where 59 percent of physicians were using smartphones. Physicians are showing a clear preference for the Apple iPhone (44 percent) over the RIM Blackberry (25 percent). The study polled100 physicians working in acute care and ambulatory environments nationwide.

Other report highlights focus on physician communication and management. Seventy-eight percent of physicians interviewed were experiencing difficulties accessing and communicating with colleagues in a timely manner. The study suggests many physicians lack financial incentives to be more accessible because the current fee-for-service reimbursement system encourages physicians to focus on the quantity vs. the quality of healthcare delivered.

Physicians interviewed also report they are overwhelmed by the daily volume of communications received from colleagues, care team members, and patients. They lack automated tools to manage voice mail, pager messages, SMS messages, and electronic mail.