Reconciling technology and humanistic care: Lessons from the next generation of physicians

AbstractPurpose: There is concern among physicians that the rising use of technology in medicine may have a negative impact on compassionate patient-centered care. This study explores medical student attitudes and ideas about technology in medicine in order to consider ways to achieve symbiosis between technology use and the delivery of humanistic, patient-centered care.Methods: This qualitative study uses data from 138 essays written by medical students in the United States and Canada responding to the prompt “Using a real life experience, describe how technology played a role, either negatively or positively, in the delivery of humanistic patient care.” Data were analyzed for themes about technology and the impact on humanistic patient care.Results: Seven themes emerged from the medical students’ essays: Patient Perspective; Life-Giving versus Life-Prolonging; Boundaries between Human and Technology; Distancing versus Presence; Adapting to Change; Tools to Enhance Care; and Definitions of Technology.Con...