Abstract:
The goal of this research was to examine physician and patient perspectives on the perceived impact of computer technology on doctor patient communication in the exam room.
Under the Affordable Care Act there is a strong push for meaningful use of health information technology. Therefore, it is important to know how this computer technology impacts an essential piece of the doctor patient relationship; communication.
21 patients, between the ages of 14-22 were surveyed, in person, at a pediatrician’s office. Four doctors were interviewed either in person or via phone, from the same pediatricians office.
Approximately half of the patients surveyed liked having computer technology in the exam room, but 16.5% more of the older patients liked having the computer technology than younger patients. All of the doctors surveyed believe computer technology is beneficial to improving patient outcomes, but believe it can inhibit specific communication skills from occurring. Although all of the doctors interviewed found the computer technology to improve patient outcomes, the doctors 50 years and older found the computer technology to negatively impact doctor patient communication.
Computer technology can be beneficial to doctor patient communication if implemented and used in a way that promotes conversation, sharing of information from doctor to patient, and allows doctors to maintain communication skills essential to patients feeling comfortable and understood by their doctors.
