A cellular-telephone model of assessing frontal lobe function in physicians

Abstract

As people age, they recognize that social conduct has become worse. This is not just a failing of the young but also a reflection of modern technology, notably the cellular telephone. We observed that the behaviour induced by the use of such devices is so egregious as to be medically informative. We offer a descriptive phenomenology and neuroanatomical classification of aberrant behaviour in relation to cellular telephone use by physicians at medical conferences. Although the cellular telephone is a scourge, its ability to add to the diagnostic armamentarium in cognitive neurology should not be overlooked, especially if a fee code can be attached. © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.