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Editor's Column
by COL Mary Maniscalco-Theberge, MD, FACS
Advanced technology is changing the way we get information, document our patient care, obtain information from consultants, and communicate with our patients. It is also adding additional stress to daily life. Does the information age require you to be available 24/7?
In this era of immediate access via pager, cell phone, and e-mail, do we have a life? Certainly, there is an advantage of immediate information when WE want it, but what about when we don't? Patients who used to wait for office hours to "speak" with their doctor, now send messages via e-mail and demand your attention, no matter what the time of day. The more stressing aspect, however, is the urgent email sent, but not received. For example, what if pathology sends an abnormal amended report on a patient for whom you thought you already had the diagnosis? The message was sent, and pathology feels that it has been communicated. However, what if you are out of town, in a location not accessible to e-mail, and unable to receive the message? We need to remember that to in order to communicate, a message needs to be sent, received, and acknowledged. Short of these three actions, it is merely electrons in cyberspace.
Stop, slow down and actually have a conversation with someone. Verbally communicating will make your day brighter. You can feel emotion, sense the reaction, and understand much better. It is a wonderful way to communicate.
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