Abstract
This study aims to determine the amount of time ophthalmologists using electronic
health records (EHRs) spend looking at the patient and its correlation on patient
satisfaction. This prospective cohort study examined 67 patients seeking care at two
different ophthalmology clinics. Videos of entire office visits were recorded and
each video was graded for amount of time spent by physicians gazing at the patient,
computer, paper medical records, or other areas. Videos were also graded for the amount
of time examining the patient, and the physician speaking during each visit. A patient
satisfaction survey was administered at the end of each office encounter. Time of
physician gaze to the patient was correlated to satisfaction outcome measures. Ophthalmologists
spent 28.0 ± 21.2% of the visit looking at the computer. Overall, patient satisfaction
levels were very high (4.8 ± 0.5, five-point Likert's scale). Ophthalmologists spent
the same amount of time looking at patients who were extremely satisfied (28.8 ± 16.7%),
as those who were not extremely satisfied (28.8 ± 15.9%). Ophthalmologists on EHRs
spend over one-third of the time of each patient visit looking at the computer. However,
patient satisfaction levels are very high. The amount of time that the ophthalmologist
gazes at the patient or the computer does not appear to have an effect on patient
satisfaction in this particular study. Further research still needs to be performed
regarding the effects of EHRs on the patient experience. Physicians should continue
to be sensitive to their patients' needs and approach the use of EHRs in patient encounters
on an individual basis.
Keywords
electronic health record - physician gaze - electronic medical record - ophthalmology
- patient satisfaction
