Do you think you can
multi task? Most women, and particularly mothers of young kids, think they can.
When talking about the difference between men and women, it’s not uncommon for
women to say “guys just don’t know how to multitask.” Guess what? Neither do
women. The human brain is not wired for multitasking.
The mother, with the
two year old tugging at their leg, while they are making dinner and talking on
their cell phone, is not an uncommon image. Fact is, no one wins in this
scenario. The two year old can’t get Mommy’s attention to use the potty and so
wets their “big kid pants.” The meal is undercooked, “yuck” and no one eats
much of it. The person she’s on the
phone with-say its work-makes a mistake because our multitasking Mom gave
incorrect information. Basically, no one had their needs met, including “super
Mom.”
As Dr John Medina,
author of “Brain Rules,” describes it “The brain is a sequential processor and
large fractions of a second are consumed every time the brain switches tasks.”
It’s easy to see that a half second slower to put on the brakes causes an
accident. A half second distraction from the child on Mom’s leg causes a
misstep and fall, injuring Mom and child.
Multitasking can
increase errors by 50%. According to the authors of Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life, multitasking is also associated
with missing important cues and making it harder to retain information in
working memory. These are very important functions for anyone working in healthcare.
Being distracted by a text message has literally resulted in people getting the
wrong medication and dying.
The new technologies
are here to stay, so how do we adapt? How can we interact with our medical
providers to keep them on task when there are so many distractions?
Consider the
following:
• Use an advocate
for medical appointments and have people stay with you in the hospital.
Patients and providers alike agree that medical visits are better when an
advocate is present.
• Write down
your concerns prior to your appointment and provide a copy to the provider at
the start of the visit.
• Take notes. If the
provider is interrupted by a phone call, text message etc., write down what you
were discussing and refer back to it when the visit resumes. Keep in mind that
the provider’s working memory may no longer hold information you’ve already
provided. Suggest a recap and repeat information that you think is important.
• Just because
the provider is distracted, don’t allow yourself to be. Stay focused on the
visit. Refer to your list of concerns and make sure they are being addressed.
• It is appropriate
to ask your provider not to take calls while you are meeting.
• Turn off your cell
phone when you are meeting with your provider.
• Check your
medical records to make sure the information they contain is correct and that
important information is included.
• If you are
going to have a medical procedure, and have special requirements-such as a pain
protocol-ask to see it prior to having the procedure.
At the same time
we’re trying to reign in our provider, we need to be looking at our own
multitasking behavior, and do what we can to switch from multitasking to set
shifting.
Margaret Moore, co-author
s of Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life, writes I don't
know anyone whose mind isn't frenzied, distracted or divided by multitasking a
good deal of the time.... Whether or not you have an organized mind depends
upon your ability to "drive" your attention and keep it focused when
you're under pressure or faced with challenging conditions. Just like driving a
racecar, a lot of skills are required. Fortunately, these skills are built into
the brain's normal wiring. So how do you start to tap into your innate ability
to be organized?
Moore identifies six rules to help in shifting from one thing to the next
and avoiding the pitfalls of multitasking. These rules are as follows:
Tame your Frenzy: Sleep well,
exercise, practice mindfulness and reduce the negative emotional frenzy of
worry, anger, irritation, sadness etc. I’ve recently read some interesting observations
about knitting as therapy and how it
helps to slow things down similar to mindfulness training. No worries if you
aren’t a knitter, having a craft or something of that sort that absorbs you is
very healthful.
Sustain Your Focus: Focus on one thing.
Shut the door, turn off your phone, set a timer, turn off the phone.
Apply the Brakes: No matter how
focused you are, distractions happen, since our brain is wired to constantly be
on the look out for things that could harm us. When distracted, practice STOP
(stop, take a breath, observe, proceed). Is there something you need to take
note of and move to a new task? For example, hunger pains remind you that you
haven’t eaten for the last six hours because you’ve been so absorbed in a
project. However, if it’s just the wind ruffling your papers, go back to your original
task.
Access your Working
Memory (short-term memory): The same activities that help to quiet the mind
(listed in #1) increases your ability to tap into your short-term memory. This
helps with problem solving, creativity etc.
Shift sets: This brain skill,
called "set-shifting," allows you to leave behind one task and leap
to a new one with a fresh and productive focus. A fit and flexible mind and
body are equally important.
Connect the Dots: Put the rules above
into play to increase productivity and reduce frustration.
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