1. Information Technology
and
Informatics in the
Patient-Dentist Relationship
Iyad ABOU-RABII
DDS, OMFS, MRes, DU, PhD

2. Lecture Plan
• Importance of doctor-patient relationship
• Problem and solutions
• Defining & measuring doctor-patient relationship
• Dental CIT applications
• Role of dental informatics
2

3. Introduction
• Technology has allowed the patients to
regain control of their treatment.
• For the modern dentist, it’s important to
understand the different systems that are
available that can assist you in developing
and improving the relationship between
Dentists and their patients.

4. Importance
• Increased treatment adherence
• Reduce malpractice claims
• Fewer tests and second opinions
• Improved quality of life
4

5. Problem
• Quality of relationship on the decline
• Consumerism
• Healthcare system constraints
• Poor communication skills
5

6. Solution
• Refocus on patient centeredness
• Communication and information
technology
• Dental Informatics as a model that
integrates CIT with human relationship
6

7. Doctor-patient relationship defined
• Sustained open trusted conversation
• Sharing of information and knowledge
• Exemplified in patient-centered care model
7

8. Patient-Centered Care Model
Exploring both Understanding Finding
disease & illness the whole person common
experience ground
Context Problems
Patient Disease
Person
Presents Illness Mutual
Goals
Cues Decision
Disease
Illness Roles
Enhancing Incorporating
the Patient- Being
8
Prevention and
Doctor Realistic
Health

9. Relationship Building - PCC
Hi Quality
PCC Doctor-Patient
Relationship = Improved
Outcomes
• PCC - Patient-Centered Care
9

10. Personal Relationship Scales
• Communication and decision support
• Interpersonal caring and social support
• Contextual knowledge
• Trust
10

11. Personal Relationship Scales
• Communication and decision support
• Thoroughness of questions about symptoms,
attention to what patients say, clarity of explanations,
instructions, and advice and help in making
decisions.
11

12. Personal Relationship Scales
 Communication and decision support
 Interpersonal caring and support
 Patience, friendliness, caring, respect, and time spent
with the patient. Sharing power and enhancing self-
awareness.
12

13. Personal Relationship Scales
• Communication and decision support
• Interpersonal caring and support
• Contextual knowledge of the patient
• Knowledge of the patient’s life history, medical
history, responsibilities at work, home or school,
principal health concerns, values, and beliefs.
13

14. Personal Relationship Scales
 Communication and decision support
 Interpersonal caring and support
 Contextual knowledge of the patient
 Trust
 Integrity, honesty, competence, and role as the
patient’s agent. Expressing a sense of security
and well-being.
14

15. Relationship Building - CIT
Hi Quality
Improved
CIT + PCC Doctor-Patient
Relationship = Outcomes
• CIT - Communication and Information
Technology
• PCC - Patient-Centered Care
15

16. Communication & Information
Technology
• What aspects of CIT affect patient-dentist
relationship
• Use existing models
• PCAS for relationship
• Schleyer’s taxonomy of dental CIT
16

17. Dental CIT
• Schleyer’s Categories
• Internet
• Clinical
• Administrative
17

18. CIT Internet Devices
18

19. CIT Clinical & Administrative
Devices
19

20. Mobile & Wearable Devices
20

21. Internet
• Office Web portal
• Email
• Personal Health Record
• Teledentistry
21

22. Web Portal
• Service
• Doctor and Staff info
• Location, hours
• Practice philosophy • Relationship Benefit
• Office policies • Informed patient
• Patient education • Match & shared values
• Automated scheduling • Set expectations
• Automated reminders • Sense of control
• Patient testimonials & • Build trust
images
22

23. Email
• Service
• Secure
• Web-based
• Triaged
• Linked to EOHR
• Becomes part of PHR • Relationship Benefit
• Ease of access
• Open communication
• Trust
23

24. PHR
• Service
• Treatment history
• Dental history
• Meds • Relationship Benefit
• Family history • Sharing & participation
• Radiographs • Access & control
• Level power asymmetry
• Trust and confidence
24

25. Teledentsitry
• Service
• Remote care
• Consultations
• X-rays and images • Relationship Benefit
• Teleconference • Communication
• Real-time, store and • Decision support
forward
• Contextual knowledge
• Convenience
• Continuity of care
25 • Trust

26. Clinical
• EOHR
• Digital Imaging
• Treatment Planning
26

27. EOHR
• Service
• Exam
• Charting
• Treatment Planner
• Clinical and • Relationship Benefit
psychosocial data • Communication
• Preference data • Contextual knowledge
• History and trends • Confidence
• Knowledge-based • Continuity of care
• Trust
27

28. Imaging
• Our patients want to be able to see
what we see and to understand
why we make the treatment
recommendations that we make.
• Co-diagnosis ( to involve the
patient in the diagnostic process).
28

29. Imaging
• Service
• Visual record
• Treatment planning
• Trend analysis • Relationship Benefit
• Simulations • Communication
• Patient preferences
• Control
• Trust
29

30. Treatment
Planning
• Service
• Values-based options
• Link medical and oral • Relationship Benefit
factors
• Communication
• Consider patient • Decision support
preferences
• Patient preferences
• Decision making aids • Control
• Trust
30

31. Administrative: Practice Mgt.
• Using the phone and paper-based
systems is
• time-consuming,
• expensive,
• No interaction from patients.
• Newer electronic systems involve
the patient in the process.

32. Administrative: Practice Mgt.
• Services • Relationship Benefit
• Appointment • Communication
scheduling • Access
• Patient registration • Confidence
• Tailored messages • Convenience
• Demographics • Trust
• Insurance billing
• Claims submission
• Recall
32

33. Conclusion
Hi Quality
Improved
CIT + PCC Doctor-Patient
Relationship = Outcomes
DI • PCC - Patient-Centered Care
• CIT - Communication and Information
Technology
• DI - Dental Informatics
33