Technologies, Physician's Caring Competency, and Patient Centered Care:A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Health Communication
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Patient expectations in healthcare are evolving, emphasizing the need to understand their perspectives on physician compassion and communication.
• The integration of technology in medicine necessitates a re-evaluation of how physicians maintain humanistic qualities and empathetic connections with patients.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Science Direct) to identify relevant studies.
• The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was employed for independent quality appraisal of selected studies.
• A narrative synthesis approach was utilized to analyze and present the findings from the included nine studies.

Key Points:

• Four major themes emerged: Technology and caring competency, Technology and patient-centered care, Empathetic skills, and Caring competency.
• Patients value physicians who demonstrate emotional intelligence and effective communication, fostering patient empowerment.
• Physicians must balance technological proficiency with essential humanistic skills to guide and empower patients.

Conclusions:

• Effective communication and empathy are key factors in patient choice of physicians.
• Physicians need to adapt to technological advancements while preserving human connection and empowering patients in their healthcare journey.
• Integrating compassionate care with technological expertise is vital for achieving optimal patient health outcomes.