Why Multitasking Wont Work

[dthfytr]

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

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Isn't that multitasking?

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Good point, Dthfytr.

Yes, I do believe that what we refer to as multi-tasking is actually the rapid prioritization of tasks.

When I think of true multi-tasking, I immediately think of a pianist. They can do three things simultaneously-play with both hands while working the foot pedals. Wow. I could never do that.

I also think of my little brother, who used to work out chemistry formulas by using both hands to write with while referring to his text.

When I am charge nurse, I can answer the phone, focus on the conversation while keeping another ear out regarding changes that the anesthesiologist and the surgeon are discussing while also scanning and accepting an add on case from a resident. I suppose this is multi-tasking, but one of the three must suffer from my lack of total attention.

Nice thread.

[chorkle]

If Carol can cradle a phone with one ear, and type on the computer with the other (while holding a baby, etc.), I think she definitely qualifies in multitasking.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Oh, and I forgot to include the fact that I can be on the phone, listen to the surgeon/anethesiologist, scan and accept an add on posting from the resident while mouthing to the irate Princess Cardiac Surgeon to GET BENT when he demands another OR so that he can make his 1600 tee time.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

If Carol can cradle a phone with one ear, and type on the computer with the other (while holding a baby, etc.), I think she definitely qualifies in multitasking.

But does the phone conversation, the baby, and what she's typing on the computer all get the same attention and quality as if she was doing any 1 task at a time? Clearly she can't be fully focused on 3 different tasks at once. With her attention divided 3 ways, the tasks will suffer. Sounds more like she's rapidly changing priorities, aka prioritisation, IMHO. Nice example, but studies have already proven that the more tasks you attempt at once, the poorer the outcome for the tasks.

I worked in a factory where workers sat at a machine and had to rapidly move a piece from one place to another. The work rapidly becomes mechanical and monotonous, and the workers carry on lengthy conversations while working. Soon you can substitute almost anything for the piece they're supposed to be moving, and they'll never notice the error as they sit there and talk. Their hand is on autopilot and gets none of their attention. They may be "multi tasking" but one task has absolutely no attention being paid to it, and quality suffers. I'd hate to apply the example to patient care and proudly announce I'm "multi-tasking."

[NeoPediRN]

A difference of 12.4 seconds for me. It wasn't easy! Yikes!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

It really depends on what you are multi-tasking. I just ate a cup of ice cream while reading this thread. That was multi-tasking. It didn't take me any more time to do it together than it would have taken seperately. In nursing, I can carry on a conversation with my patient while changing the bed linens or checking CSMs.

But there are times in nursing when it becomes dangerous to multi-task. Educating a patient while drawing up meds, or doing an assessment might cause me to miss something or make a mistake. So I agree that multi-tasking doesn't always work.

I also think that we confuse the terms multi-tasking and bundling our care. For example, my patient needs a dressing change, morning meds, a shift assessment, and clean linens. I can multi task/bundle care or do the tasks seperately:

Seperately: I come in in the morning, do the assessment, leave the room and get the meds, come back in to give the meds, leave to get supplies for the dressing, come back and do the dressing changed, leave the room to get linens, come back and change the linens. So I had to leave the room three times before I completed all my tasks.

Bundling: Before I go in the room, gather the meds, dressing supplies, and linens. Go in in the morning, do the assessment, give the meds, and change the dressing and linens. My tasks are done, I never had to leave the room, and you can bet that it takes a lot less time.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Never heard the term "bundling" but it works. I would have called it time management skills.

Thank you for the well thought out post, and others I neglected to thank. This has been the most enjoyable and informative post I've seen on AN.