Recent studies show that out to be that medical treatment given by female doctor is more effective than by male doctors. It could be that this is not related to gender but to communication skills. Patients expect different behavioral patterns from a female and a male doctor. Female doctors or expected more to portray empathy to be less dominant while demonstrating professional care. One of the main components of the medical service is communication. There is a correlation between communication abilities and lawsuits. Doctors communicating in a non- dominant manner will end up with fewer lawsuits. Communication in online clinics is, on one hand, more challenging but on the other hand, carries something simple. There is a difference between video conferencing and a regular conversation. Let’s see how these are different:
Only the upper body is seen.
Turns out to be that we communicate not only by the facial expression but also by hand gestures. That’s why it is important to sit far enough from the camera in order to show their hands once in a while.
Eye contact.
It is important to look towards the camera. While clinics we shift our gaze between the patient and the computer screen (where the EMR electronic medical record is located) in telemedicine we actually look at the medical file screen and at the patient at the same time. Turns out to be that the eye contact is much more sustained during the online visit than the regular clinic.
To speak in front of a mirror (selfie)
Video conference enables us to see our self as we speak selfie serves as a feedback/mirror. This is experience is a bit odd because we usually do not speak in front of a mirror. It is interesting to see how we are seen but it is very challenging especially for beginners.
Radio check
During the video conference a bit of a delay. The delay causes do you have to make sure that the person in front of you finished what he had to say and only then you can speak. So you actually need to listen until the other person finishes to speak.
Was this clear?
As we do not know what the reception of our speech is when using telemedicine, we need to check frequently if we were clearly understood. When you asked frequently was this clear, you actually open are more open to receiving questions. In general, the idea of repeating sentences is sometimes a good idea. So paradoxically bad reception may lead to better communication.