Effects of Exam-Room Computing on Clinician–Patient Communication: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

. 2005 Aug;20(8):677–682. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0163.x

Period 2	Period 3
5. Computer navigation and mastery facilitates communication: In this visit, the clinician uses the computer very effectively in visually sharing data trends with a patient and his wife. As they go over histograms of blood pressure readings for the past 2 y everyone is focused on the computer screen. The clinician also retrieves all of the patient's hemoglobin A1c test results over the same period after the patient's wife expresses concerns about the patient's blood sugars. The graph of the test results appears to reassure the patient and his wife and assist the clinician in communicating the message quickly. Use of the computer in this visit appears seamless and natural.	6. Lack of computer navigation and mastery inhibits communication: While searching for a patient's recent medical history on the computer, a different study clinician appears to pay little attention to the patient, and instead focuses entirely on navigating through the computer screens. Meanwhile, the patient attempts unsuccessfully to provide information about her medications as the clinician struggles with the computer. Both clinician and patient seem frustrated with the process, which takes a long time.

Period 2

Period 3

5. Computer navigation and mastery facilitates communication: In this visit, the clinician uses the computer very effectively in visually sharing data trends with a patient and his wife. As they go over histograms of blood pressure readings for the past 2 y everyone is focused on the computer screen. The clinician also retrieves all of the patient's hemoglobin A1c test results over the same period after the patient's wife expresses concerns about the patient's blood sugars. The graph of the test results appears to reassure the patient and his wife and assist the clinician in communicating the message quickly. Use of the computer in this visit appears seamless and natural.

6. Lack of computer navigation and mastery inhibits communication: While searching for a patient's recent medical history on the computer, a different study clinician appears to pay little attention to the patient, and instead focuses entirely on navigating through the computer screens. Meanwhile, the patient attempts unsuccessfully to provide information about her medications as the clinician struggles with the computer. Both clinician and patient seem frustrated with the process, which takes a long time.