IMPACT OF VISITORS’ SMARTPHONE RECORDINGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA SHARING ON NURSES’ PROFESSIONAL IMAGE IN PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The increasing use of smartphones by hospital visitors has introduced new challenges in healthcare settings, particularly related to unauthorized recordings and their dissemination on social media. These practices may negatively affect the professional image of nurses and contribute to emotional and reputational harm. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of hospital visitors’ smartphone recordings and social media sharing in inpatient and emergency settings on the professional image of nurses working in public sector tertiary hospitals in Peshawar. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 registered nurses selected through stratified random sampling from three public sector tertiary hospitals in Peshawar. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire covering recording frequency, nurses’ perceptions, and associated challenges. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS version 26. Results: The majority of nurses (78%) reported frequent recordings by hospital visitors, particularly in emergency and surgical units. Over 70% perceived that these recordings and their online dissemination negatively impacted their professional image. Common challenges included emotional distress (75.3%), reputational harm (80.5%), and lack of institutional support (70.1%). Statistically significant associations were found between gender, experience level, and perceived emotional impact (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Hospital visitors’ smartphone recordings and social media sharing present a serious challenge to nurses’ professional dignity and emotional well-being. There is a critical need for hospital policies regulating visitor behavior, institutional support mechanisms, and public awareness initiatives to protect healthcare professionals from digital exposure.