The effect of the inclusion of a computer-based interviewing system on patient-clinician communication during the subsequent consultation

A computer interview has been found to be valuable in eliciting information. This thesis describes the use of a CIS in two different clinical settings (GP surgery and chiropractic clinic), with the aims of aiding recognition of patients with anxiety or depression and enhancing communication between patient and clinician. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was included in the computer interview. 60 patients used the CIS in both settings, 6 GPs and 3 chiropractors were involved in the study. A high level of acceptance of the CIS was found in patients and clinicians in both settings. 99% of patients rated the system as “easy” or “extremely easy to use”. In the GP surgery, 80% of patients felt that they were “possibly” (68.33%) or “definitely” (11.67%) more focussed for the consultation. In the chiropractic clinic, 41.7% of patients said they disclosed new information and 33.3% felt better prepared for the consultation. The CIS aided the recognition of some individuals with anxiety or depression, more so within the chiropractic clinic than in the GP surgery. The information in the interview transcript was considered more useful by the chiropractors than the GPs (85% v 21.67%); this could be partially attributable to the fact that the chiropractors added 15 reassessment questions to the question set, whilst the GPs only added 4, more general, questions. The CIS also helped to highlight communication issues and show trends within the patient populations. Although the CIS was found to be of benefit in both settings, the GPs felt that it was more appropriate for use with specific patient groups. In the chiropractic clinic, the CIS was an effective addition to the periodic patient reassessment process. It would be possible to deliver other, individualised screening interviews using the CIS, delivery of which could be enhanced using handheld devices.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Dundee

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Hands, Katrina

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Petrie, Karen

• Computer interviewing
• Communication
• Patient experience
• Clinical interviewing
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Patient reassessment

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:discovery.dundee.ac.uk:studenttheses/f7c0794d-2e0a-4473-9b4f-980a2036fb1a

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:discovery.dundee.ac.uk:studenttheses/f7c0794d-2e0a-4473-9b4f-980a2036fb1a