Bring your own device (BYOD) has become increasingly popular as technological security improves. Now, 71 percent of healthcare leaders allow BYOD in some form, according to a recent survey by Spok.

The survey, which included responses from more than 350 healthcare leaders, examined BYOD policies and trends in 2017 to showcase the shift of technology in healthcare organizations.

Findings included:

• 71 percent of respondents allow BYOD in some form at their hospital, an increase from 58 percent in 2016.
• Data security is the main reason some hospitals prohibit BYOD.
• 63 percent of physicians and nurses use personal devices for work, even when BYOD is prohibited.
• 59 percent of nurses and 38 percent of physicians prefer hospital-issued devices.
• 54 percent of respondent stated wifi infrastructure is the main challenge to BYOD, followed by data security (52 percent) and cellular coverage (44 percent).
• 81 percent of BYOD policies cover device security, 76 percent cover types of devices supported and 59 percent cover enforcement for policy noncompliance.
• 59 percent reported easier communication as the top BYOD driver, a 9 percent increase from 2016, followed by cost savings (54 percent), workflow time savings (50 percent) and response to physician’s demand (37 percent).
• The average number of work-related applications was 4.1 for physicians and 3.2 for nurses.
• Electronic mobile applications were rated 3.5 out of 5 for reliability.