Forget the PC police and telemedicine: Give your patient a hug

Today, the public has criticized health care as too high in technology and too low in touching. Computers take patients’ histories, provide a differential diagnosis, supply educational materials and even submit a bill for the services that we render. A new specialty — telemedicine — offers health care service to rural areas that were previously underserved or couldn’t afford the latest diagnostic technology. Telemedicine, a technology in its infancy, offers improved access to care, greater efficiency in diagnosis and treatment, improvement in productivity. Although telemedicine technology is accepted by patients, one of its drawbacks is the inability to have any physical interaction with the patient, such as being able to touch the patient or to examine the patient. One humorous story about technology concerns a patient whose secretary called a doctor to say that her boss was too busy to come in for an appointment. However, the secretary would fax the doctor a list of her boss’s symptoms and asked if the doctor would call in a prescription. Of course, that’s the extreme of high tech and low or no-touch. A few years ago, I saw Jim (not his real name) for a problem of difficulty with urination associated with low back pain. I asked Jim if his urinary problem was improving and inquired about his back pain. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Primary Care Source Type: blogs