Which technologic advancement would improve emotional connectivity while providing patient care?

Question

1. Using a laptop computer in the patient's room.
2. Using telemedicine for consults.
3. Using point-of-service bar coding for documentation.
4. Using personal data assistants (PDAs) to access information.

Answer 1

2
Explanation: 1. Using the laptop while in the patient room can be a time-saver, but also draws the provider's attention to the machine, not the patient.
2. Telemedicine can improve connectivity if used with the goal of doing so. The technology can be used to talk to the patient, visualize the patient for assessment, and to allow the patient to "see" the provider. This is much more connected than a provider calling another provider with information for a consult.
3. Until patients become more accustomed to this technology, it can be somewhat "off-putting." Many correlate this technology as impersonal and much like groceries being scanned at the supermarket.
4. The PDA is certainly a nice tool for accessing information, but can come between the patient and the provider if the provider is spending more time interacting with the PDA or smartphone than the patient.