Why Multitasking Wont Work

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Over the years different catch words or catch phrases have come and gone in nursing. I was particularly stymied when in ER nursing we no longer "prioritised" we "multi-task." The word multitask first came at me in a job interview (didn't get that one) and the entire concept has appeared, IMHO, just plain stupid.

I started researching the concept on the web and found many studies saying the brain can handle only one or two tasks at a time, and the more we try to do, the poorer the outcome for all. Today I came upon an interesting article about built in "bottlenecks" in the brain, and am including the link.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/08/multitasking-brain-bottlenecks/#more-70650

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.

Did you ever do the "multitasking" experiment?

"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"

M________________________________________________________

1_________________________________________________________

"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"

M________________________________________________________

1_________________________________________________________

Get a timer... First time, write the letters and numbers at the same time, thereby "multitasking." So, on the line write: M then 1 then u then 2 then l then 3 and so on...

on the second set, do it one at a time. Write the entire line, "Multitasking is a lie" Then write the numbers 1,2,3.... (to 18).

You'll notice a difference of 30 seconds to over a minute... Was eye opening!

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
Did you ever do the "multitasking" experiment?

"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"

M________________________________________________________

1_________________________________________________________

"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"

M________________________________________________________

1_________________________________________________________

Get a timer... First time, write the letters and numbers at the same time, thereby "multitasking." So, on the line write: M then 1 then u then 2 then l then 3 and so on...

on the second set, do it one at a time. Write the entire line, "Multitasking is a lie" Then write the numbers 1,2,3.... (to 18).

You'll notice a difference of 30 seconds to over a minute... Was eye opening!

So you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines? :idea:

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.
So you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines? :idea:

That was mean.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
So you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines? :idea:

I think this is a valid point, and I don't think it was "mean" to point it out.

However, one can take the movement of the hand back and forth out of the equation by saying the letters and numbers out loud, first alternating back and forth between the letters and numbers, and then doing all the letters and then all of the numbers in order. If you do this, I bet you'll still find that it's faster to do all the letters then all of the numbers. I don't have a timer with me, but I just tried it and it did seem to take a lot longer switching back and forth.

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.
So you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines? :idea:

I suppose, simplistically, you could look at it like that.

But, isn't that what "multitasking" does? It takes your full attention from ONE job and applies it to TWO jobs simultaneously. Where, when you go through and complete ONE job and THEN the other, it gets done quicker...

You have 2 charts you are charting on... one you are dictating notes, one you are reading labs. You close one to open the other and look at it, and go back to the other because someone is asking you. Or, you h ave 0900 meds to give and the very next room wants PRN. Instead of skipping one room, you run and get his PRNs, go to the original room and give his 0900, then go to whom you just gave your PRNs and give him his 0900... Same notion, same idea, same premise... not merely "measuring time to move your hand back and forth."

Less "trips" back and forth no matter what you are doing, hence "one line to the other".

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.
I think this is a valid point, and I don't think it was "mean" to point it out.

However, one can take the movement of the hand back and forth out of the equation by saying the letters and numbers out loud, first alternating back and forth between the letters and numbers, and then doing all the letters and then all of the numbers in order. If you do this, I bet you'll still find that it's faster to do all the letters then all of the numbers. I don't have a timer with me, but I just tried it and it did seem to take a lot longer switching back and forth.

I reread it and realize that maybe it wasn't mean, possibly just the smilie that goes with it lol and like you said that is valid...in order to cut out moving between the lines as a reason to why it prolongs the task just doing letter then number then letter on one line can create a better picture of the time difference beween the two tasks based soley on having the change your thinking between writing letters to numbers. Unless apart of the multi-tasking activity is to include the time it takes to move between two lines for emphasis of the point that multi-tasking is hard and does not really save time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I haven't read the article, but all I can say is when ur an agency RN, you need to learn to multi-task. For instance, when the BP is pumping up, I'm doing their neuro obs and counting their breaths, checking out their skin turgor, chatting and/or getting a history. I try to do 3 things at once, but I agree it is important to not do TOO many, cos u might miss something important.

I worked in a GP surgery once, I was the only one on, I had a baby in one arm (cos the mum had suddenly taken ill and couldn't hold the baby any longer), the doctor was flat out, I had a phone cradled to one ear and was typing on the computer with the other! A patient came in and said something like Wow! you really CAN multi-task!

I think the brain can handle more than we think to be honest, and I honestly believe in my opinion (don't know the studies supporting this or not), that it slows down or stops dementia settling in, as the brain stays active and alert.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I haven't read the article, but all I can say is when ur an agency RN, you need to learn to multi-task. For instance, when the BP is pumping up, I'm doing their neuro obs and counting their breaths, checking out their skin turgor, chatting and/or getting a history. I try to do 3 things at once, but I agree it is important to not do TOO many, cos u might miss something important.

I worked in a GP surgery once, I was the only one on, I had a baby in one arm (cos the mum had suddenly taken ill and couldn't hold the baby any longer), the doctor was flat out, I had a phone cradled to one ear and was typing on the computer with the other! A patient came in and said something like Wow! you really CAN multi-task!

I think the brain can handle more than we think to be honest, and I honestly believe in my opinion (don't know the studies supporting this or not), that it slows down or stops dementia settling in, as the brain stays active and alert.

I think all nurses have to multitask.....what does being an agency nurse that makes it better or worse.....just curious:)

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I worship at the Altar of Mutli Tasking.

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I can multitask with the best of them! You should see me drive and yell at my husband all at once!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Despite all the evidence that trying to multitask just leads to decreased work quality for each task, people still "worship at the altar."

I'd like to see a study where people are filmed "multitasking" ad see if what they call multitasking isnt rapid prioritisation of tasks.

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