Doctor, patient and computer--a framework for the new consultation

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• General Practice Research

Background:

• Computer use in general practice consultations is increasing globally.
• The impact of computer integration on the physician-patient relationship remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a framework for analyzing the influence of computers on physician-patient interactions.
• To understand how technology affects the dynamics within general practice consultations.

Main Methods:

• Observational qualitative study using hermeneutics and phenomenology.
• Analysis of 141 video-recorded Australian general practice patient encounters.
• Development of behavioral categories for physicians, patients, and computer interaction.

Main Results:

• Physicians were categorized as 'unipolar' (facing computer) or 'bipolar' (alternating focus).
• Patients exhibited 'dyadic' (physician-focused) or 'triadic' (computer-inclusive) behaviors.
• Computer influence on interactions was observed as passive or active.

Conclusions:

• A framework was developed by categorizing human and computer behaviors.
• This framework facilitates further analysis of computer impacts in general practice.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing technology integration in healthcare settings.