In the paper Keystrokes, Mouse Clicks, and Gazing at the Computer: How Physician Interaction with the EHR Affects Patient Participation, the authors studied 32 physicians engaging with 217 patients as the used an EHR.
It was observed that the amount of time a physician looked at his computer, the less that patent spoke, and, in addition, the more the physician’s keyboard activity, the less patients actively engaged.
Both as patients and physicians, we all know this is the truth; this just puts meat on the bones.
So, what to do? First and foremost, we must recognize and accept the computer screen is the second patent in the room.
Then, and only then, can we move to improve this.