How Technology Helps & Hurts the Patient Doctor Relationship

There are few relationships that are more important than the patient doctor relationship. It’s a real partnership, a team effort to keep your health the best it can possibly be. That requires open, honest communication and staying in contact.

Technology has undoubtedly changed the way we communicate both in and out of the doctor’s office. In some ways it has helped to facilitate conversations and keep everyone on the same page. But new studies suggest that technology can also get in the way of the patient doctor relationship.

From social media oversharing to logging notes on computers, there are new communication boundaries people have to consider to build the best patient doctor relationship possible.

How to Ensure Technology Helps Your Patient Doctor Relationship

Want to cut down on confusion and get high quality care? Make technology a communication tool rather than a blockade with the tips below.

Find a Doctor That Has a Communication System in Place – The patient doctor relationship isn’t restricted to the exam room. You’ve got to schedule appointments, pay bills, get answers to questions, etc. Doctors that invest in a communication system are focused on providing the best all around care. Physicians that use a customer relationship management system like Solutionreach are better equipped to stay in regular contact and keep patients up-to-date on everything from upcoming appointments to the latest health alerts.

Understand That Younger Doctors Communicate Differently – The newest crop of doctors are from the Millennial generation that has grown up with digital technology. Communicating remotely and using social media are second nature. This can add new channels for keeping connected, or it can quickly blur the lines between being a friend and being a professional. Medical organizations are now writing up new policies to help doctors determine what is and isn’t acceptable, but patients also have to keep virtual etiquette in mind too.

Refrain From Self-Diagnosing Online – More patients are jumping online to look up their symptoms before calling the doctor. While the Internet is a useful tool for looking up your treatment options and learning more about a condition after diagnosis, it can hinder the patient doctor relationship. Too often doctors are undermined and their professional opinions are questioned strictly because a patient has self-diagnosed themselves already. Like any good relationship, trust is a key component of effectively communicating with your doctor.

Look for Doctors That Look at You During the Appointment – Computers have significantly improved medical recordkeeping, but a recent study from the University of California, San Francisco suggests that they could get in the way. Some doctors rely heavily on their computer during the appointment in order to take detailed notes. But when a computer screen is constantly between you and your doctor it can be difficult to make a connection. Doctors that record conversations and transcribe them later or use an assistant to log notes during the exam actually catch more information. They are able to fully focus on you and pick up on all the non-verbal cues, which make up about 90% of a conversation.

Restrict Calls to the Office – We all carry around mobile phones these days, but don’t expect your doctor to give you their personal number. Some patients see this as a slight when in reality the physician is simply trying to maintain a solid professional relationship. For many, treating people that are considered good friends can compromise their professional judgment.

Ask to Fill Out Online Forms Before Coming In – Want to fast track the waiting time and help your doctor prepare for the exam? When you schedule your appointment online ask if the office has online forms you can fill out. It will eliminate admin busywork on the day of your appointment and give them time to get everything in the system so the doctor isn’t sidetracked.

Empowered patients understand the importance of taking an active role in their healthcare, which includes building a good relationship with their doctor. We have more ways to connect than ever before, but nothing can replace meaningful face-to-face conversations with a doctor that cares.