How electronic communication is changing health care
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—The theme issue on how electronic communication is changing health care was fascinating, and I agree that one of the characteristics of being in the old world (or paradigm) is that it is almost impossible to imagine the new one.1
One of the problems of using computers during a consultation is the negative effect on non-verbal communication. Looking at videos of my consultations with and without computer screens, I see that there is less eye contact, and I might therefore pick up fewer non-verbal cues because of the intrusion of the computer. I have often discussed this problem with other general practitioner trainers and registrars. Various ideas have been suggested, including entering the data at the end of the consultation.
It suddenly occurred to me, maybe we are stuck in the "old paradigm."
Parents are concerned when their children spend hours playing computer games—are they missing out on developing social skills and interacting with others? If you watch children (especially boys) playing these games alongside others they are interacting effectively with each other, although all their attention (and certainly their gaze) is directed at the screen. Maybe the consultation model of the future will be closer to two children glued to a PlayStation. Both doctor and patient might be focused on the screen, entering data and exploring the net together, possibly involving others, relatives, carers, or specialists at the same time.
Julian P Strauss, general practitioner principal
Pennys Hill Practice, Ferndown Medical Centre, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9HB jstrauss@gp-J81061.nhs.uk
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Smith R. Editor's choice. Can IT lead to radical redesign of health care? BMJ 2004;328. 0-f. (15 May.)
One of the problems of using computers during a consultation is the negative effect on non-verbal communication. Looking at videos of my consultations with and without computer screens, I see that there is less eye contact, and I might therefore pick up fewer non-verbal cues because of the intrusion of the computer. I have often discussed this problem with other general practitioner trainers and registrars. Various ideas have been suggested, including entering the data at the end of the consultation.
It suddenly occurred to me, maybe we are stuck in the "old paradigm."
Parents are concerned when their children spend hours playing computer games—are they missing out on developing social skills and interacting with others? If you watch children (especially boys) playing these games alongside others they are interacting effectively with each other, although all their attention (and certainly their gaze) is directed at the screen. Maybe the consultation model of the future will be closer to two children glued to a PlayStation. Both doctor and patient might be focused on the screen, entering data and exploring the net together, possibly involving others, relatives, carers, or specialists at the same time.
Julian P Strauss, general practitioner principal
Pennys Hill Practice, Ferndown Medical Centre, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9HB jstrauss@gp-J81061.nhs.uk
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Smith R. Editor's choice. Can IT lead to radical redesign of health care? BMJ 2004;328. 0-f. (15 May.)