Using tablets in medical consultations: Single loop and double loop learning processes

Objective This paper investigates the influence of using tablet in waiting rooms and medical examinations on how physicians give information and how patients learn. It further assesses the factors that impact patient satisfaction. Methods Patients and physicians in a primary care clinic were given a tablet device to search for health information in the waiting room, and when interacting with the physician, while physicians used the tablet device to share information with patients during the medical consultation. 82 patients completed a 'pre' survey on using tablets to search for health related information and a 'post' survey after their visit. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze patient's perceptions. Results Tablet use during consultation has a negative effect on patients' perceptions of physician information giving, but using the tablet in the waiting room has a positive impact on patient learning, perceptions of physicians' information giving and patient satisfaction. Conclusions This study indicates the importance of tablet use in ensuring information giving and patient learning. It further highlights the potential for tablets to promote single-loop learning in the medical encounter by better preparing patients for the physician's information giving. Tablets also enable double-loop learning, which leads to greater patient satisfaction.