Patient-Physician Relationship and the Role of Clinical Decision Support Systems

Abstract

1. Hassan A. Aziz, PhD, MLS(ASCP)cm[⇑][1] 1. College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha – Qatar 2. Rebecca L. Bearden 1. College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha – Qatar 3. Asha Elmi, MS 1. Weill Cornell Medical College – Qatar, Doha – Qatar 1. Address for Correspondence: Hassan A. Aziz, PhD, MLS(ASCP)cm, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director and Associate Professor of Biomedical Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha – Qatar, 00974-4403-4783, Hassan.Aziz{at}qu.edu.qa 1. Describe the patient-physician relationship. 2. Assess the current challenges of a healthy patient-physician relationship. 3. Evaluate the role of information technology in improving the relationship between patients and physicians. 4. Define the term clinical decision support system. 5. Discuss the benefits and challenges of clinical decision support systems. INTRODUCTION In the last quarter of the twentieth century rapid development in the biological, medical, and pharmaceutical sciences has taken place and is continually developing causing a considerable broadening and deepening in the medical knowledge and thus the emergence of new methods of examination and treatment of patients. There is high importance in the development of medical and technical sciences and as a result the amount of information needed by physicians in their practice for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases has significantly increased. Using new and emerging drugs, diagnostics, and data from evidence-based medicine should help improve the clinical and cost effectiveness of care. Definition of Patient-Physician Relationship Physician-patient effective relationship is the main key to deliver good therapy and high quality healthcare in the medical field. Physicians and their communication, social and relational skills are the main pillars that help in collecting information and data from patients to facilitate precise and accurate diagnosis, and deliver effective care and therapy.1 These skills are the most important practices in the medical and clinical field that will help reach the best healthcare outcome and patient gratification.2 Furthermore, the physician-patient relationship has two main components: emotional and informational. Delivering successful medical care and intervention require strong physician-patient communication by establishing a partnership. Also, a patient has a great view about his or her medical situation or problem that will help him or her to be part of the decision making process.3 Therefore, creating a good social and personal relationship, facilitating sharing… ABBREVIATIONS: CDSS - Clinical Decision Support System, ICD - International Classification of Diseases, CPT - Current Procedural Terminology, SNOMED - Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine, HER - Electronic Health Records 1. Describe the patient-physician relationship. 2. Assess the current challenges of a healthy patient-physician relationship. 3. Evaluate the role of information technology in improving the relationship between patients and physicians. 4. Define the term clinical decision support system. 5. Discuss the benefits and challenges of clinical decision support systems. [1]: #corresp-1