In stethoscopes we trust
Doctors seeking to earn their clients' trust during e-consultations should wear a stethoscope and surround themselves with other tools of the trade, the research suggests. Image: hocus-focus/iStockphoto A Curtin University study has shown doctors seeking to earn their clients’ trust while conducting e-consultations should wear a stethoscope and surround themselves with medical tools of the trade.The six-month e-health research project was undertaken by a group of researchers at the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) and funded by Curtin’s Office of Research and Development.The researchers investigated the process of providing e-consultations, and whether the presence of ‘iconic’ medical symbols like a stethoscope, surgical scrubs or a reflex hammer would help doctors build a relationship of trust online.Medical e-consultations make use of electronic computing and communication technologies in the consultation processes, particularly when a client is unable to see a doctor face-to-face.In the study, a series of images portraying different combinations of medical...