Intelligent Healthcare Information Integration 1/3/10

Connectiquette

Recently, certain aspects of human interaction related to physicians and/or IT folks inspired some observations on my part (some might call them “rantings.”) As I always hate bemoaning entropy without bespeaking ectropy, I hereby humbly offer up, for your conscientious consideration:

Connectiquette: 11 Rules for an Extropic Future

1. NEVER text and drive. No, you’re not that talented, you’re not that good of a driver, and it won’t “just take a second.”
2. Always remember that the live bodies in your presence are more important, and deserve your attention more, than any distant Tweeter, texter, or avatar.
3. Look at people when you talk with them. While viewing a screen or keyboard, the top of your head is what you present to your patient, client, staff member, mother, etc. Do you really want them to consider your scalp and follicles as the windows to your soul?
4. Looking at the eyes of someone can always tell you far more than viewing their typographical output.
5. If new technology causes new workflow patterns to disrupt your interactions with the “organics” around you, get different technology – OR – adapt your workflow to re-enable your connectedness.
6. Until further notice, carbon / carbon-based interpersonal skills should remain pre-eminent to those required for carbon / silicon-based relationships as well as any carbon / silicon / carbon intercourse, in whatever form.
7. Courtesy still conveys consideration across any connection. Just because someone can’t lay eyes upon you doesn’t mean they can’t see how inconsiderate you are.
8. Patients, clients, customers, co-workers, even friends and family — all prefer being treated “Goldenly.” Do you want others to attend to you as you have been attending them?
9. “Service” and “support,” just like the “care” in “healthcare,” have real definitions. Look them up.
10. “Electronic” does not equal “better.” Some “old” skills and solutions will long outlast the latest, greatest, “better mousetrap.”
11. People are still susceptible to faddism; just because something is Web-based doesn’t mean it’s sanctified, certified, or even smart. Discernment and healthy skepticism are more valuable now than ever.

No, I’m not able to cast the first stone, as I have been just as much a digital sinner as anyone. However, I am repentant and searching for a walk nearer to thee, er, I mean, you … and to all the flesh and blood people in my day to day encounters.

Therefore, I promise: next time we’re out to dinner, I’ll keep my snout out of my smartphone and hope you’ll offer me the same Aretha. (R-E-S-P-E-C-T)

From the trenches…

“Respect is love in plain clothes.” – Frankie Byrne

Dr. Gregg Alexander is a grunt-in-the-trenches pediatrician and geek. His personal manifesto home page…er..blog…yeh, that’s it, his blog – and he – can be reached throughhttp://madisonpediatric.com or doc@madisonpediatric.com.