Danny Sands, MD, MPH, outlines five ways to make computers a part of the solution, not the problem.
1. Engage with the patient during the first few minutes of the visit. Don’t use your computer during the initial part of the visit. Use this time to maintain eye contact with patients and learn about their issues.
2. Study a patient’s record. Spend some time with patient records before visits so you don’t need to refer back when you are with patients.
3. Explain what you are doing. If you are checking a patient’s prescriptions or typing his or her symptoms, tell the patient what you are doing and let the patient look on while you type.
4. Be conscious of positioning. Align your computer so you can look at a patient while typing notes. Do not have your back turned to patients.
5. Refrain from resting your hands on the keyboard throughout the visit. If a patient is discussing sensitive information, step away from the computer and engage with them on a human level.
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