OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of introducing health information technology (HIT) on physician-patient interactions during outpatient visits. DESIGN: This was a longitudinal pre-post study: two months before and one and seven months after introduction of examination room computers. Patient questionnaires (n = 313) after primary care visits with physicians (n = 8) within an integrated delivery system. There were three patient satisfaction domains: (1) satisfaction with visit components, (2) comprehension of the visit, and (3) perceptions of the physician's use of the computer. RESULTS: Patients reported that physicians used computers in 82.3% of visits. Compared with baseline, overall patient satisfaction with visits increased seven months after the introduction of computers (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.22), as did satisfaction with physicians' familiarity with patients (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01-2.52), communication about medical issues (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.05-2.47), and comprehension of decisions made during the visit (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.06-2.50). In contrast, there were no significant changes in patient satisfaction with comprehension of self-care responsibilities, communication about psychosocial issues, or available visit time. Seven months post-introduction, patients were more likely to report that the computer helped the visit run in a more timely manner (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.28-2.42) compared with the first month after introduction. There were no other significant changes in patient perceptions of the computer use over time. CONCLUSION: The examination room computers appeared to have positive effects on physician-patient interactions related to medical communication without significant negative effects on other areas such as time available for patient concerns. Further study is needed to better understand HIT use during outpatient visits.

article Technology in use (panel session) Share on Authors: Sharon Traweek Joint Appointment in Anthropology and The Program in Science, Technology and Society, MIT Joint Appointment in Anthropology and The Program in Science, Technology and Society, MITView Profile , Michael Lynch Department of Sociology, Whitman College Department of Sociology, Whitman CollegeView Profile , Richard Frankel Department of Medicine, Wayne State, University and consultant, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Department of Medicine, Wayne State, University and consultant, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationView Profile , Brigitte Jordon Departments of Anthropology and Pediatrics, Michigan State University Departments of Anthropology and Pediatrics, Michigan State UniversityView Profile , Editor: Lucy A. Suchman Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, 3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, 3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto, CAView Profile Authors Info & Claims ACM SIGCHI BulletinVolume 16Issue 4April 1985 pp 89–92https://doi.org/10.1145/1165385.317473Published:01 April 1985 1citation214DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations1Total Downloads214Last 12 Months5Last 6 weeks0 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteGet Access