These free B.Pharm notes on technology in healthcare communication cover chapter 20 of Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills, a first-semester subject. Read the key points below, then study the complete chapter PDF. You can browse every chapter in the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
Table of Contents
Read the following document for full information
Overview of technology in healthcare communication
This chapter explains how technology has changed communication between providers and patients. It covers the electronic health record as a communication hub, telemedicine and webside manner, mHealth and wearables, artificial intelligence, the digital divide, privacy and security, and technostress, ending with the idea of hybrid fluency.
Key points on technology in healthcare communication
- The electronic health record acts as the central nervous system of the organization, and patient portals let patients see results, read notes, request refills and book appointments.
- Webside manner is the skill of showing empathy and attention on screen, using good lighting, a camera at eye level and signposting of what the clinician is doing.
- mHealth apps and wearables shift communication from a snapshot, such as one blood pressure reading, to a movie of continuous data, which can cause alert fatigue in providers.
- The digital divide may widen health disparities, so communication must offer many channels and not lock out elderly, low-income or rural people who prefer non-digital methods.
- Only encrypted, approved channels should be used for patient information, because digital communication leaves a permanent, searchable footprint and texting on normal SMS apps is a serious breach.
Relevance to pharmacy practice
Pharmacists now answer patients through portals, calls, apps and telepharmacy, so they need to use digital tools safely and kindly. Knowing privacy rules and the limits of technology helps them keep human connection and include patients who cannot use digital services.
Every chapter in this subject builds on the one before it, so do not skip topics that look simple. Definitions, classifications and examples are the parts that examiners return to most often, and a clear understanding here will also make later subjects easier to follow in the coming semesters.
Frequently asked questions on technology in healthcare communication
What is webside manner in telemedicine?
Webside manner is the skill of showing empathy and attention during a video consultation. It uses good lighting, a camera at eye level, low background noise and clear signposting of what the clinician is doing.
What is the digital divide in healthcare?
The digital divide is the gap in access to fast internet, smart devices and digital literacy. It can widen health disparities, so providers should offer many channels, including phone calls and visits.
What is technostress in healthcare workers?
Technostress is the burnout caused by the infinite inbox of portal messages, alerts and emails. It lowers communication quality, and team-based inbox management and right to disconnect policies help reduce it.
Quick revision checklist
Use this self-test after reading the chapter on technology in healthcare communication. If you can do all of the following without looking at your notes, you are ready for the exam.
- I can explain: the role of the EHR and patient portals
- I can explain: webside manner in telemedicine
- I can explain: how mHealth and wearables change care
- I can explain: the digital divide and health equity
- I can explain: privacy and technostress in digital care
Study and exam tips
Start by reading the chapter once for the overall idea, then revise technology in healthcare communication using headings, definitions, classifications and examples. Short-answer questions in the university exam usually ask for definitions, features, advantages, disadvantages and examples, so write these in your own words and practise drawing the tables and flow charts that the chapter has.
For wider reading, standard textbooks and open resources such as the NCBI Bookshelf help you confirm terms and see more examples. Revise technology in healthcare communication again a day later and again a week later, because spaced revision improves long-term memory.
This page is part of the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills series for first-semester B.Pharm students on B.Pharm Guru, where every chapter has a short summary and a full PDF. Bookmark this page and share it with classmates who are preparing for the same exam.
Related notes: 17. DELIVERING DIFFICULT NEWS AND HANDLING EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SITUATIONS, 18. LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTH COMMUNICATION – CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONSENT.
Previous: 19. WRITING PATIENT RECORDS, REPORTS AND DISCHARGE SUMMARIES. Next: 21. HEALTH BELIEF MODELS AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR. Back to the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
