Patient perceptions of physician use of handheld computers.
BACKGROUND
Handheld computers have advantages for healthcare providers including portability and integration into office workflow. However, negative patient perceptions of physician use of handheld computers in the examining room might limit integration.


OBJECTIVE
To survey patients' perceptions of handheld use, and compare those with their providers' perceptions.


METHODS
A survey of patient attitudes toward handhelds was conducted among patients at a low-income university clinic. Internal Medicine residents providing care were also surveyed.


RESULTS
Patients (N=93) were mostly female (79%) and ethnic minorities (67%) with average age of 39. Only 10% of patients did not like the idea of a handheld computer in the exam room. Other negative attitudes were also seen in a minority of patients. Some physicians (23%) reported reservations about using the handheld computer with patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative attitudes were rare among patients, but some providers were concerned about using the handheld in the exam room.
Houston
Thomas K
TK
School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
Ray
Midge N
MN
Crawford
Myra A
MA
Giddens
Tonya
T
Berner
Eta S
ES
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires