Does Computer use in Patient-Physician Encounters Influence Patient Satisfaction?

A study just published in Canadian Family Physician by Lelievre & Schultz reviews the impact of computer use in the physician office on patient satisfaction. Topics analyzed include patient compliance, health outcomes, perception of physician competence, and the physician’s ability to communicate in terms of patient satisfaction.

Findings from the study include the following:

1. Concerns about computer use negatively affecting patient-physician relationships and patient satisfaction are largely unfounded;
   
2. Most patients had no preference for whether computers were used or not;
   
3. Computer use actually seemed to have a positive effect on overall satisfaction;
   
4. Other studies have shown that patients’ main concerns about computer use have to do with privacy, but in this study only 3.4% of respondents were concerned about a "negative" or "very negative" effect on privacy. 

To read the full study, click here

What are your thoughts? Do you think that computers have a positive or negative influence on patient satisfaction? Can you share any of your own experiences or anecdotal stories regarding experiences relating to computer use in relation to the patient encounter?

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