University of Twente Student Theses

Login

Call for Attention : The Impact of Telephone Interruptions on Internal Medicine Weekend Rounds at Isala Zwolle

Boeve, Selma (2025) Call for Attention : The Impact of Telephone Interruptions on Internal Medicine Weekend Rounds at Isala Zwolle.

[img] PDF
549kB
Abstract:Ward rounds in hospitals require collaboration between specialists and nurses but are often disrupted by telephone inquiries, impacting efficiency and increasing cognitive load. Research on this specific issue remains limited. At Isala Hospital’s internal medicine, oncology/hematology department, weekend calls are directed to the on-call specialist, frequently interrupting rounds. This study analyzed ten weekends of call data and conducted interviews with specialists to assess the impact. Quantitative analysis showed that telephone interruptions accounted for 14.2% of ward round duration, with 507 calls recorded. External calls were less frequent but significantly longer than internal calls. Interviews revealed that interruptions disrupted workflow, increased cognitive load, and reduced efficiency. Specialists responded differently, with some experiencing high frustration while others remained resilient. Potential solutions include better patient education, call screening by head nurses, and digital triage systems to reduce disruptions while maintaining care access. The study highlights the need for further research, including pilot programs and integrating patient perspectives. With weekend interruptions significantly affecting specialists’ workload and satisfaction, strategies to optimize clinical processes are essential.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Isala, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Faculty:TNW: Science and Technology
Programme:Health Sciences MSc (66851)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105363
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page