Why Multitasking Wont Work

1 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/20...ks/#more-70650
Did you ever do the "multitasking" experiment?"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"M_________________________________________________ _______1_________________________________________________ ________"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"M_________________________________________________ _______1_________________________________________________ ________Get a timer... First time, write the letters and numbers at the same time, thereby "multitasking." So, on the line write: M then 1 then u then 2 then l then 3 and so on...on the second set, do it one at a time. Write the entire line, "Multitasking is a lie" Then write the numbers 1,2,3.... (to 18).You'll notice a difference of 30 seconds to over a minute... Was eye opening!

Quote from demylenatedDid you ever do the "multitasking" experiment?"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"M_________________________________________________ _______1_________________________________________________ ________"MULTITASKING IS A LIE"M_________________________________________________ _______1_________________________________________________ ________Get a timer... First time, write the letters and numbers at the same time, thereby "multitasking." So, on the line write: M then 1 then u then 2 then l then 3 and so on...on the second set, do it one at a time. Write the entire line, "Multitasking is a lie" Then write the numbers 1,2,3.... (to 18).You'll notice a difference of 30 seconds to over a minute... Was eye opening!

Quote from SummitAPSo you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines?

Quote from SummitAPSo you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines?

Quote from SummitAPSo you've measured that it takes time to move the hand back and forth between the lines?

Quote from noahsmamaI think this is a valid point, and I don't think it was "mean" to point it out.However, one can take the movement of the hand back and forth out of the equation by saying the letters and numbers out loud, first alternating back and forth between the letters and numbers, and then doing all the letters and then all of the numbers in order. If you do this, I bet you'll still find that it's faster to do all the letters then all of the numbers. I don't have a timer with me, but I just tried it and it did seem to take a lot longer switching back and forth.

I haven't read the article, but all I can say is when ur an agency RN, you need to learn to multi-task. For instance, when the BP is pumping up, I'm doing their neuro obs and counting their breaths, checking out their skin turgor, chatting and/or getting a history. I try to do 3 things at once, but I agree it is important to not do TOO many, cos u might miss something important.I worked in a GP surgery once, I was the only one on, I had a baby in one arm (cos the mum had suddenly taken ill and couldn't hold the baby any longer), the doctor was flat out, I had a phone cradled to one ear and was typing on the computer with the other! A patient came in and said something like Wow! you really CAN multi-task!I think the brain can handle more than we think to be honest, and I honestly believe in my opinion (don't know the studies supporting this or not), that it slows down or stops dementia settling in, as the brain stays active and alert.

Quote from carolmaccas66I haven't read the article, but all I can say is when ur an agency RN, you need to learn to multi-task. For instance, when the BP is pumping up, I'm doing their neuro obs and counting their breaths, checking out their skin turgor, chatting and/or getting a history. I try to do 3 things at once, but I agree it is important to not do TOO many, cos u might miss something important.I worked in a GP surgery once, I was the only one on, I had a baby in one arm (cos the mum had suddenly taken ill and couldn't hold the baby any longer), the doctor was flat out, I had a phone cradled to one ear and was typing on the computer with the other! A patient came in and said something like Wow! you really CAN multi-task!I think the brain can handle more than we think to be honest, and I honestly believe in my opinion (don't know the studies supporting this or not), that it slows down or stops dementia settling in, as the brain stays active and alert.

I worship at the Altar of Mutli Tasking.

I can multitask with the best of them! You should see me drive and yell at my husband all at once!

Despite all the evidence that trying to multitask just leads to decreased work quality for each task, people still "worship at the altar."I'd like to see a study where people are filmed "multitasking" ad see if what they call multitasking isnt rapid prioritisation of tasks.

Isn't that multitasking?