Background

Implicit bias and personal preference may affect communication between IOS and Android users when interacting in a healthcare setting as well as outside of the hospital socially. By identifying bias and other factors influencing resident communication, ACGME programs may act to reduce barriers to fostering strong resident relationships. This study seeks to assess smart phone communication preferences, potential biases, and other related social behavior in residents and fellows.

Methods

An anonymous survey using REDCap survey tool was sent to all residents and fellows at our institution in all ACGME accredited training programs, this list totaled 922 residents and fellows. Results The response rate was 20.5% with trainees from over 20 different specialties. Of the 189 respondents, 87% use an iPhone and 13% use an Android. 60% agreed or strongly agreed to feeling closer to colleagues when communicating socially via smart phone. Of the iPhone users 90% reported they notice when someone does not have an iPhone when messaging. 40% of iPhone users reported a moderately strong to strong preference towards communicating with other iPhone users compared to non-iPhone users. Additionally, 24% of iPhone users reported they were likely to extremely likely to exclude someone from a group message if they do not use an iPhone. Finally, 13% of iPhone users said they were likely to extremely likely to generalize personal characteristics of others based on the smart phone they use. Conclusions

Strong communication is important amongst residents and fellows to successfully work as a team and build relationships. As communication via smart phone is so common among medical trainees, it is necessary to examine how personal smart phone preferences may impact communication. Survey results found most residents use an iPhone and many iPhone users prefer to communicate with other iPhone users. As majority of residents reported feeling closer to those they work with when communicating socially via smart phone, this could offer a perhaps unexpected opportunity to strengthen relationships among co-residents.

References

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Diel, Buck, C., & Eymann, T. (2018). Your smartphone, my smartphone – how smartphone ownership determines social group

affiliation