New
advances in digital technology have been critical in redefining patient-doctor
roles. The plethora of new available gadgets, apps, and web-based information
centers provide innovative ways to diagnose symptoms, treat patients, and share
information. The ePocrates, for example,
is an app that allows doctors to look up proper drug dosages and interactions. According
to a study by the University of Chicago, residents with iPads entered orders in
a timelier manner, and a majority of residents believed that utilizing iPads
improved their work efficiency. Some doctors, however, worry that the personal connection
between the patient and the doctor is being lost through the intricacies of the
tech world, and that many younger physicians are becoming too dependent upon
the new technology. Despite of this belief, many prominent medical schools,
such as University of Chicago and John Hopkins University, are keeping up with
the trend by providing all internal-medicine residents with iPads. Thus, as
digital technology further advances, physicians will need to discover the
proper balance between utilizing traditional medical methodology and the
innovative products of tech boom.
Reference:
Hafner, Katie. "Redefining Medicine With Apps and iPads."New York Times 08 Oct 2012, Science Times. Web. 12 Oct. 2012.
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