BYOD use and perception among hospital clinicians – A qualitative study

Background: The increasing trend of healthcare professionals using personal devices for work, termed Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD), is becoming prevalent in hospitals. Despite its growing importance, there is limited empirical research addressing the real-world experiences of clinicians in using BYOD.

Objective: This study seeks to explore clinicians' perception and behavior with respect to BYOD use in Australian hospitals, focusing on socio-technical aspects and its impact on clinical and administrative work.

Methods: Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians in Australian hospitals. The framework method was applied to perform a thematic analysis, identifying key socio-technical themes related to BYOD usage.

Results: Clinicians reported using BYOD for various tasks, with smartphones being the most preferred device over tablets or laptops. While smartphones were favored for their convenience, laptops were used for complex tasks like viewing radiological images, and tablets were rarely utilized. The multifunctionality and convergence of BYOD devices were seen as facilitators for mobility and productivity, contributing to cost and time savings. However, significant barriers were identified, including increased risks of patient information leaks, challenges in maintaining work-life balance, and concerns about hospital-acquired infections. The study also found that doctors rated BYOD highly for its efficiency across various settings, while nurses experienced more issues with distractions and boundary management. Allied health professionals' use varied by specialty.

Conclusion: Findings from the study provide crucial insights into the advantages and challenges of BYOD usage in hospitals. These insights can help shape policies and management strategies to support secure and effective BYOD practices in healthcare settings.