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The negative impact of smartphone usage on nursing students: An integrative literature review
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The negative impact of smartphone usage on nursing students: An integrative literature review

L.M. Ramjan, Y. Salamonson, S. Batt, A. Kong, B. McGrath, G. Richards, D. Roach, P. Wall and R. Crawford
Nurse Education Today, Vol.102, Art. 104909
2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104909
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Abstract

Background Smartphones are ubiquitous, and for some, an indispensable companion. In nursing education curricula and clinical healthcare settings, smartphones have the potential to augment student learning. Nursing students report significant benefits to smartphone use, which extend beyond learning, to include enhanced communication, clinical decision making and evidence-based practice. Despite these benefits, little is known about the negative impact of smartphones on student learning. Objectives This integrative review aimed to synthesise findings from published research that referred to the detrimental direct or indirect effect of smartphone usage on nursing students. Design The integrative review was guided by the five-stage approach as conceptualised by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Methods Seven electronic databases were systematically searched in consultation with a university librarian (CINAHL Plus, Ovid Medline ALL, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and ERIC) using a combination of key search terms and medical subject headings. A total of 646 articles were retrieved, and following removal of duplicates, screening of titles and abstracts, a final 27 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results Studies in the review originated from Korea (n = 7), Turkey (n = 6), India (n = 4), Spain (n = 3), USA (n = 2), Spain/Portugal (n = 1), Iran (n = 1), France (n = 1), Canada (n = 1) and Egypt (n = 1). Personal smartphone use was reported to be a distraction within clinical and classroom learning, and considered as uncivil, and compromised professionalism. Frequently, smartphones were used for entertainment (e.g. social networking) rather than professional purposes. The studies identified a concerning level of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among nursing students that caused stress and anxiety, and adversely affected sleep, learning and academic performance. Recommendations were proposed for smartphone policies. Conclusions Excessive smartphones use among nursing students may adversely affect physical and mental health and potentially impact on student learning within the classroom and clinical environment. Educators should consider the implementation of policies or guidance for the responsible use of smartphones by nursing students whilst in the classroom setting and during clinical placement, to mitigate the potential negative impact on health and academic performance.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

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187 Record Views
53 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.185 Communication
6.185.1004 Digital Media Impact
Web Of Science research areas
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Nursing
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
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