In the Oschner Journal, Fong and Longnecker state that effective doctor-patient communication is a central clinical function in building a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, which is the heart and art of medicine. This is important in the delivery of high-quality healthcare. However, Schulte writes, according to the American Hospital Association, the current healthcare environment makes good communication among patients, families, and caregivers harder and harder to achieve.
Why? There are seveal reasons: hHospital stays are shorter, medical care is more technologically complex, resources are constrained, and there is a growing need for patients and families to have more information about, and involvement in, care decisions.
The HIMSS EHR Value Collection stresses the importance of high-quality communication with patients, the health IT consultant writes. This “library” of value insights reflect the experiences of hospitals, health systems and providers in all venues of care delivery. Alpenglow Medical, for example, reported that the “EHR is increasing patient satisfaction by allowing the doctor to sit and listen and not rush the visit.” Another example: in the UK, the Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has found that the electronic health record “increased clinician time availability for patients.”
Why? There are seveal reasons: hHospital stays are shorter, medical care is more technologically complex, resources are constrained, and there is a growing need for patients and families to have more information about, and involvement in, care decisions.
IT supports communication
In this last aspect, Schulte believesthe use of IT has significantly enhanced achievement of communication levels. ‘Patient portals are widely used, telehealth technologies are supporting communication between provider and patient in the patient’s home and/or in local community care centers, and mobile health technologies make access to patient information available anytime and anywhere.’The HIMSS EHR Value Collection stresses the importance of high-quality communication with patients, the health IT consultant writes. This “library” of value insights reflect the experiences of hospitals, health systems and providers in all venues of care delivery. Alpenglow Medical, for example, reported that the “EHR is increasing patient satisfaction by allowing the doctor to sit and listen and not rush the visit.” Another example: in the UK, the Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has found that the electronic health record “increased clinician time availability for patients.”
