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In order for patients to gain maximum benefit from a computer during
the consultation they need to be able to view the screen comfortably. This
enables them to watch the data we are entering in their record, which I
prefer to do as they speak. The patient and doctor can then agree that the
record is correct.
Secondly the patient can see other data on screen, such as lab
results, graphs, medications and search results.
In my consulting room I arrange things so that the screen, the
patient and I are at the points of a roughly equilateral triangle: it is
important not to turn away from the patient during data entry, and to try
to encourage even technophobes to interact. I think this mode of working
enables the patient to regard the computer as a useful tool, and not as a
rival for the doctor's attention
....but can they see the screen?
In order for patients to gain maximum benefit from a computer during
the consultation they need to be able to view the screen comfortably. This
enables them to watch the data we are entering in their record, which I
prefer to do as they speak. The patient and doctor can then agree that the
record is correct.
Secondly the patient can see other data on screen, such as lab
results, graphs, medications and search results.
In my consulting room I arrange things so that the screen, the
patient and I are at the points of a roughly equilateral triangle: it is
important not to turn away from the patient during data entry, and to try
to encourage even technophobes to interact. I think this mode of working
enables the patient to regard the computer as a useful tool, and not as a
rival for the doctor's attention
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests