Computers in the new consultation: within the first minute

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Computers are now commonplace in the general practice consultation in many countries and literature is beginning to appear that describes the effects of this presence on the doctor-patient relationship. Concepts such as patient centredness emphasize the importance of this relationship to patient outcomes, yet the presence of the computer has introduced another partner to that relationship. OBJECTIVE: To describe the patient-doctor-computer relationship during the opening period of the consultation. METHODS: Twenty GPs provided 141 consultations for direct observation, using digital video. Consultations were analysed according to Goffman's dramaturgical methodology. RESULTS: Openi..