We are grateful for Dr Hay's interest1 in our editorial2 and agree that the physical positioning of the computer screen is an important influence on non-verbal communication in the consultation. We also agree that recording sufficient data during the time constraints of the consultation is a significant challenge. We need to be aware that the average UK primary care consultation with booking intervals of 10 minutes is on the short side for comparable countries and it may be that we need to consider giving ourselves more time.
The problem with the suggestion of typing while we talk (or listen) is that, from a patient's perspective, a doctor who is typing at the same time as they are listening is likely to be perceived as not listening as effectively as a doctor who is simply listening — and in many cases this perception will be correct.
REFERENCES
- 1.Hay GI. Looking at the patient. Br J Gen Pract. 2010;60(573):293. doi: 10.3399/bjgp10X483995. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Silverman J, Kinnersley P. Look at the patient before you look at the computer. Br J Gen Pract. 2010;60(571):76–78. doi: 10.3399/bjgp10X482293. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]