Physician Communication Skills in Telemedicine: The Role of Eye Contact

• DOI: 10.3233/shti220199
• Publication Date: 2022-06-07T09:33:59Z
• Authors: Samar Helou; Elie El Helou; Jeanine El Helou
• Keywords: Eye contact; Social Skills; Interpersonal interaction

Gaze is an important non-verbal behavior in patient-physician communication. We examine the effect of physician's gaze direction video consultations on their communication and interpersonal skills ratings. 51 subjects watched videos a physician providing same teleconsultations while (a) looking directly at camera (b) computer screen. After each video, participants rated skills. The results showed that perceived as making eye contact associated with higher ratings two skill items: (1) using empathy to communicate appreciation patient's feelings, (2) support by expressing concern, understanding, willingness help. depended content consultation general attitude physician. These highlight role its dependency other verbal behaviors.