Analyzing Data/Face-to-Face Recorded Interactions in Primary Care

Analyzing Data/Face-to-Face Recorded Interactions in Primary Care

In primary care, face-to-face interactions between patients and physicians are essential.  It enhances the physician to collect accurate data from the patients and is always the best way of collecting data. It also creates an environment that is comfortable for the patient to give private information about themselves.  During the interview, the physicians do not just listen but record the data in a notebook.  Also, the presence of the patient during the interview enables them to clarify answers; thus, the information provided id valid. The physicians are also able to catch non-verbal clues during the interview as the interaction captures everything. The paper looks into how data analyzed during the face-face interactions in Primary care.

Analyzing data is the process of getting raw data and later converting it to useful information needed for decision-makers. Data provided in face-to-face interaction in primary care is accurate and more reliable. This is because the physician can read the patient’s mind as well as any nonverbal communication made by the patient. For instance, in the recorded video, it is clear that the physician does not only concentrate on what is said. The physician begins by asking her how she is doing. Salutations make one feel welcome, thus making the patient comfortable. She feels in the right place and with a person ready to listen and offer help. He then gives her the chance to explain her problem. In the beginning, he listens to the patient and records what the patient feels without interrupting. The physician is very keen on observing the moves and other actions made by the patient. Also, he records everything that the patient says to ensure he does not miss anything. However, he disrupts the patient for clarification of what she said. The clarification is to make sure he gets what the patient said rather than just guessing. The interaction is very healthy as the patient seems to be very comfortable talking with her physician. When the patient explains the pain in her arm, the physician wants clarity on whether she twisted her arm or lifted something heavy. This is to make sure he gets to the main cause of the pain.

The patient is direct to the point in presenting her problem. She explains how she feels and how the pains move around in her shoulder. She also gives a brief history in regards to surgery she underwent years ago. She thinks the pain could be a result of the surgery, thus fears that the pain could increase with the time. At some point, the patient interrupts him, and he takes almost a minute before responding as he notes down what is being said by the patient. This gives the patient room to provide more details of the surgery. At this point, the physician is keen on asking about other things that could have caused the pain. Even when the patient denies it, he still insists on other possible causes by trying to take her to her daily activities. This helps the patients to remember something she could have forgotten or assumed and could have triggered the pain she is undergoing now. He also asks her when she started feeling the pain and wants more clarity on the specific part of the shoulder was aching. There is a lot of talking from the patient while the doctor listens as he asks questions for clarification.

There is a flow of interactions between the patient and the physicians. In some cases, the patients are reluctant to say the truth or opening to their physicians. When this happens, the data collected will either be inaccurate or incomplete. However, in this case, the patient is collaborative; thus, no resistance observed. Her consistency also proves this. She gives extra information willingly; hence, gathering relevant information is easy. Also, the physician has medical authority in this interaction in that he does not cease to ask questions that give more information about the patient’s shoulder and the history of the problem. This is helpful as it provides the patient with an opportunity for bestowing more and more information, which is vital.  Even when the patients interrupt him in denying all the suggestions he raises, he continues pushing her to ensure she reveals everything.

Even when the patients explain that it’s not the first time she is undergoing that pain, the physician focuses on depending on his findings. After the listening patient’s problem, the physician does a physical experiment trying to squeeze the patient’s shoulder. This is done to ensure he gets which part of the shoulder is aching. He wants to know at which position hurts more, which one is mild, and which one is okay. He rotates the arms repetitively to ensure pain is consistent, thus giving accurate information. He is also gentle to ensure he does not cause pain to the patient, which could provide the wrong information. He also asks more questions as he changes the parts he is squeezing. All this is to ensure that he gets to the right spot. The inability to locate the spot means wrong data, thus incorrect prescriptions. He wants the patients to rotate her hand as he observes what triggers the pain. He also tests the other arm to ensure the results are different. The physician questions are short and straightforward, which makes it easy for the patient to understand. Besides, they flow with the patients’ responses, and he will not move to the next phase until he gets all the information he needs.

Once he recognizes the spot, he still wants to confirm if he got it right. He then explains to the patient what could be the problem to ensure she understands it. Explaining the possible cause helps the patient to get a better understanding of her body. Also, she is provided with ways and measures to take to ensure the pain does not get severe. Later she gives her the prescriptions giving details on how they should be taken. He also advises her to keep stretching her arm in an attempt to ease the pain. He does not just rush into the conclusion as he wants her first to take medication combined with the stretching. While giving the prescriptions, he provides clear information about the right medicine as well as its side effects. This helps the patients in knowing what foods to take or avoid while she is under medication.

In conclusion, face-to-face interaction is more preferred in Primary care than video interaction. The physical presence of the two parties helps in making the patient comfortable, thus opening up. Besides, the physician can touch the affected part of the body to get a clear picture of the problem. He can also read through the patient’s reactions and no when she is reluctant to reveal essential or private information.