Patient and health care professional views and experiences of computer agent-supported health care.
OBJECTIVE
To explore patient and health care professional (HCP) views towards the use of multi-agent computer systems in their GP practice.


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews and analysis of transcriptions.


METHODS
Urban health centre in Dundee, Scotland.


METHODS
Five representative healthcare professionals and 11 patients.


METHODS
Emergent themes from interviews revealed participants' attitudes and beliefs, which were coded and indexed.


RESULTS
Patients and HCPs had similar beliefs, attitudes and views towards the implementation of multi-agent systems (MAS). Both felt modern communication methods were useful to supplement, not supplant, face-to-face consultations between doctors and patients. This was based on the immense trust these patients placed in their doctors in this practice, which extended to trust in their choice of communication technology and security. Rapid access to medical information increased patients' sense of shared partnership and self-efficacy. Patients and HCPs expressed respect for each other's time and were keen to embrace technology that made interactions more efficient, including for the altruistic benefit of others less technically competent.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients and HCPs welcomed the introduction of agent technology to the delivery of health care. Widespread use will depend more on the trust patients place in their own GP than on technological issues.
Neville
Ron G
RG
Westgate Health Centre, Dundee, UK. ron.neville@blueyonder.co.uk
Greene
Alexandra C
AC
Lewis
Sue
S
D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D035502:Trust