Patients' perception of using a smartphone light source in the clinical environment

Introduction A satisfactory light source is of paramount importance during an oral head and neck examination. It has become common practice for the light source on a smartphone to be used during inpatient intra-oral examination. We determined if patients identified the use of a smartphone as a light source, during head and neck examinations, as unprofessional. Methods and materials A clinical photograph illustrating professional errors was presented to patients as a pilot survey (n = 10); a smartphone camera flash being used as a light source was featured. Patients were then asked which aspects they considered unprofessional. Following staff training and improvements to the survey wording, the same photo was presented to patients (n = 150) as the main study. Results Of the patients surveyed, 97% considered the use of a smartphone in the staged clinical photograph as unprofessional. They also noted: a clinician sitting on the bed (88%), clinicians not wearing gloves (81%), lack of privacy/curtain not drawn (62%), long hair not tied back (50%), a clinician's name badge not visible (23%), clinician bare below the elbows (15%) and clinician not wearing a tie (12%). Conclusions This is the first piece of research into the use of a smartphone light source within clinical examination. The use of a smart phone light source during clinical examination was the most reported 'error' and was recognised more than a clinician not wearing gloves. Eighty-five percent of patients considered the use of a smartphone light source unprofessional. Authors, therefore, do not advocate the use of a smartphone light source in the clinical care of patients.