Practice Management
Does Technology Make Us Lazy?
In April's Comanagement Q+A, Dr. Ajamian discusses the pros and cons of clinical technology with Dr. Robert Pinkert of Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center.
"For example," says Dr. Ajamian, "When you do a case history with EMR, you’re basically filling in the boxes or clicking the answers, rather than writing out a detailed narrative. This “filling in the blanks” approach could dull our ability to take and record a meaningful clinical history."
On the other hand, Dr. Pinkert notes that "When you’re writing records, you could commit an error of omission—you forget to write something down. When you’re using EMR, it prompts you to answer, so you’re not likely to commit an error of omission."
The doctors continue on to discuss imaging vs. drawing the optic nerve disc, as well as examining the eye manually or via OCT.
What do you think? Go here (http://www.revoptom.com/content/d/comanagement_q___and___a/i/1086/c/20373/) to read the column, then join the debate below!
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Comments
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 77
Dr Ajamians point is well
Dr Ajamians point is well taken and valid; I have found with our EMR system that it helps me to be more thorough - while we are trained to mentally cover all the diagnostic criteria, it is easy to omit something in the history when going strictly by memory, whereas with my EMR I can't go to the next screen without covering all the bases - EMR is a great "memory" tool in that sense and occasionally I will see a "box" that reminds me to ask a question that is clinically relevant I may have otherwise accidentally overlooked.
I read this article in the NY
I read this article in the NY Times the other day; it makes a very interesting point about our growing use of technology...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?src=me&ref=tec...
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Posts: 3
That's a great piece, Leah!
That's a great piece, Leah! Disturbing though.
I'll tell you, actually--my
I'll tell you, actually--my husband spilled iced tea on my BlackBerry and fried it last Sunday, so I've been using my old phone, which is just a phone. No bells, no whistles, no e-mail, no Internet. I feel like a recovering junkie—I still check my phone for messages or new alerts, KNOWING that there's nothing there but still craving to be more "plugged in." Crazy.
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 77
Leah - similarly and at the
Leah - similarly and at the risk of embarassing myself I left my PDA recharging in a column outlet at the Charlotte airport and boarded the plane. Needless to say, USAir is in no rush to find it for me so have been without it for almost 2 weeks. I'm managing, and I'm less crazy the second week than the first; lesson - it's harder to get rid of the addiction; you can be weaned off, but who wants to!
I feel your pain, Dr.
I feel your pain, Dr. Glazier! I think I'm at about the same point in my "progress" as you are. I'm right at the crossroads between feeling relieved that I'm not as tied in, and feeling out of the loop.
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 77
Loving my Android. Totally
Loving my Android. Totally new way of life.apps are incredible, hence the name.
Location: Antelope, CA
Posts: 6
While I agree that technology
While I agree that technology may provide conveinent "shortcuts" in daily life (professional or personal), I wouldn't necessarily say that it makes us "lazy". Laziness implies that a goal is not reached in a timely manner, however if these technological tools allow us to complete more goals with growing efficiency, we are not lazy - we are adapting to the new tools available.
I believe Dr. Ajamian & Dr. Pinkert touch on interesting points, I would question the basis of the arguement. In this case, the topics seem to revolve around the implementation of new technology - making cases that new technology breeds insufficient clinical work. While this is a great way to start a fun debate, it ultimately underscores a doctor's professionalism. In other words, would this new tech help OR hinder a doctor's "sucess"? Either way, this new technology will show the extent of a persons ability to succeed.
Introduction of any new technology will show opportunities to improve, like having a place to upload drawings of corneal ulcers. There will be hazardous bumps on the road ahead, but advocating for these useful additions in new technology is our way to get better...
Sorry for writing so long, I wanted to get into this topic!
_PinkEye