Background: Improved communications within the healthcare sector is imperative to enabling increased clinical efficiency and enhanced quality of patient care. Mobile phone use has been demonstrated to enhance clinical practice by improving communication between physicians, junior medical staff and other healthcare members.

Aims: This study aims to assess use of personal mobile phones to answer pager messages (use versus non-use) among Intern medical officers.

Methods: A literature search was performed. A survey instrument was designed to identify intern medical officers who used their mobile phones to answer pager messages and those who did not. 12 intern medical officers were surveyed. Verbal consent was obtained. Following completion of the instrument, when necessary, participants were asked to clarify their comments.

Results: Among the 12 intern medical officers, 8 intern medical officers (67%) used their personal mobile phone to answer pager messages. Main reasons highlighted were convenience, hospital phone accessibility and time-saving. Reasons for non-use by 33% participants were to keep work and private calls separate and not wishing to pay for work-related calls.

Conclusions: Those junior medical officers who answered pager messages using their mobile phone found it beneficial due to increased productivity. Those who did not chose to do so due to privacy and cost. Further validation with larger scale randomized control studies in this field are required.