Add the demands of insurers, employers, regulators and lawyers. Yet still more is necessary to provide appropriate health care to all those in need. Care requires the human touch A doctor's touch may be even more potent than his or her time, treatments or technology. Hard disks, software and the Internet will certainly help empower patients and their doctors. We must not, however, allow the enhancements to displace the essence of the doctor-patient relationship.
Information is only one part of communication.
The needs of our patients go beyond answers to FAQs. A comforting hand establishes a closer connection than can a telephone, computer or modem. The power of observation works best at close range. In short, it's e-mail for detail, but visit or miss it. Primary care is important Primary care is the comprehensive management of unselected patients with undifferentiated problems.