RT Journal
A1 Toll E
T1 USe of information technology in the examination room—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD September 26
VO 308
IS 12
SP 1208
OP 1209
DO 10.1001/2012.jama.11190
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/2012.jama.11190
AB 
In Reply: Despite myriad forces competing for professional loyalty, a physician's primary responsibility remains with the patient. A strong patient-physician relationship can help physicians uncover patients' problems and help them feel better. It is why many physicians chose medicine as a career. Giving a patient full attention requires considerable intellectual and emotional energy. Current EMRs also require intense focus. Therein lies the distressing dilemma: How can a physician focus on a patient if the computer also needs attention? It is analogous to texting while driving. In recalling the adage to do what is best for the patient, Dr Esper offers a time-honored standard for measuring physicians' activities and technologies, including the EMR.