- How has the doctor-patient relationship changed with the use of videoconferencing and e-therapy, and how should the practitioners deal with the change?
As a result of new technology and increased internet in the field of healthcare, the doctor patient relationship is changing. Doctors are becoming more of an informed partner to their patients rather than a complete director. Patients are able to interact with other individuals who have the same or similar medical conditions as them and hear what treatment options have worked best for them. In this way, patients are able to bring their own ideas about what treatment they feel would be best for them to their doctors and in turn doctors can give their feedback on whether or not they feel this treatment option is the most viable for the patient. This type of relationship works well to ensure the patient is receiving the best possible treatment and feels as if they have autonomy over their treatment plan.
Physicians should be prepared to deal with this change by assessing clients suitability for non-traditional treatments (such as online interventions or a hybrid model), having a back-up plan in case the current plan fails due to technological issues, increasing symptom severity, etc, providing education to clients on their condition and how the non-traditional process might work, providing consent, and ensure they are working/ providing treatment ethically. As the use of technology and the internet increases within the field of mental heath physicians must remain open to all options of treatment and be willing to educate and inform their clients on these options.
2. What is a virtual patient advocates (VPA) and why might it work (e.g., for children, veterans, etc.)?
A virtual patient advocate is animated, online character used to enhance communication between the patient and doctor. Some clients may think of their advocate as a family member or friend that they brought along to make sure they ask all the right questions and bring up all the presenting problems to their doctor. The VPA is similar to this as its first and foremost responsibility is to the patient, however it is portable and can be utilized anywhere (even when both the patients and doctor are not in the room). VPAs could be increasing popular in children if presented like a cartoon character, they may feel less intimidated than by a traditional patient advocate. Children are more likely to open up to a cartoon character they deem as a friend rather than an adult who they may feel that they have to provide the "right" answer to. Additionally, this may be a popular option for veterans seeking help for PTSD as it takes much of the stigma and judgement away from the process of seeking help.
I like the way you mentioned of a physician as a partner in the patients treatment and not a director with these new methods. I also agree that as these changes come about it is very important for health care providers to be accepting of all these new methods of treatment.
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