{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.061277705345501955, 'fraction_numerical': 0.03585397653194263, 'mean_word_length': 5.422594142259414, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 2, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Read Me Now: Medical Communication Using Text Messaging

APGO Advisor: Sonya Erickson, MD PURPOSE: To determine physician use and preferences regarding text messaging. BACKGROUND: Smartphone use is widespread however little is known about texting by physicians. METHODS: A paper survey was distributed to residents and faculty in three departments. Outcome measures included prevalence, purpose and security of text messaging. RESULTS: Overall, 99 (83%) surveyed physicians responded, including 58 faculty (59%) and 41 residents (41%). The distribution showed 37 responses from obstetrics and gynecology (37.4%), 42 from medicine (42.4%), and 20 from pediatrics (20.2%). All residents (100%) text at work compared with 85% of faculty (P=.01). Patient-related care (45%), scheduling (24%) and personal (13%) were the most common reasons for texting (P<.01). Residents preferred text messaging (71%), whereas faculty preferred to communicate using verbal channels of telephone or direct communication (74%) (P<.01). More residents than faculty felt that texting was secure (61% compared with 31%; &khgr;2: P=.76). DISCUSSION: Smartphone ownership and text messaging are common. Most text messages were regarding patient-related care. Residents prefer texting in contrast to faculty preference for verbal communication. There is a notable difference in the perception of texting security between residents and faculty. The difference in the communication channels between residents and faculty could be an area for communication failure.