Modelling factors affecting patient-doctor-computer communication in primary care

This work presents a conceptual model aimed at explaining factors affecting the formation of effective patient-doctor-computer communication at the primary care clinic. The authors define a new construct - patient-doctor-computer communication (PDCC), aimed to replace the traditional concept of dyad patient-doctor communication (PDC). PDC has been characterized as one of the most significant factors affecting healthcare outcomes. To better understand PDCC and its antecedents, the authors integrate theories from the patient-centered care and the Information Systems domains and suggest that the characteristics of the EMR, the user (doctor) and the task determine the doctor’s perception of fit between the EMR and the medical task, which in turn positively affects PDCC. The suggested conceptual model contributes to both theory and practice. On the theoretical side, it opens several new research trajectories. For practice, the model implies that there is a need for a tighter collaboration between experts from both the information systems and medicine domains in designing EMR systems that are aligned with and support the medical task at hand.