Texting presents unique communication challenges. The brevity and casual nature of text communication that makes it convenient can also make it inappropriate in a healthcare setting. One key to using text messaging in healthcare is to know when an in-person or telephone conversation is necessary. Telephone conversations allow for important information to be exchanged with greater ease, and a more natural opportunity for questions and responses.
Learn More »Contradictory Text Messages Contributed to Patient Misinterpretation of Care Instructions
Text messaging can provide quick, efficient communication between physicians and patients. In malpractice litigation, it can also prove physician attentiveness and responsiveness. However, text messages can complicate the defense of a malpractice claim, particularly if they are not integrated into the patient record. Consider how documentation issues unnecessarily complicated the defense in the following case.
Learn More »Some electronic health record (EHR) systems do not offer integrated texting apps, which can lead to the use of texting apps that require a separate process to transfer texts to the patient record. Unfortunately, text messages frequently do not find their way into the record.
Learn More »Text messaging often serves as a distraction. And distractions, in general, increase the risk of patient injury.1 Whether work related or personal, texting generally involves cognitive, visual, and manual tasks. Like phone calls; pages; alarms; and colleague, patient, and patient family requests, text messaging increases the already immense amount of information received and processed during patient care.2
Learn More »Texting can blur traditional patient-physician boundaries. The loosening of social inhibitions in the online environment often allows people to behave differently than they would in person, a phenomenon known as the online disinhibition effect.
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