Dr. Merten:
But frankly, I mean, these are things we’ve dealt
with in so many aspects of our society to try to
figure out how to properly use technology and how to
protect the consumer. And it’s striking that we’re
so far behind in this one area, and I think you’re
right--that sometimes, the law isn’t there, but in a
sense, we have an obligation to get these systems
working.
One of the--my favorite phrase is that more and more
consumers today expect both high touch and high
tech. They really expect to have the kinds of care
and feeding that they need.
Mr. Sesno:
Did your patients expect high tech when they came
into your office?
Dr. Bentz:
They didn’t necessarily expect it, but they always
knew they were gonna see me ’cause I was so low.
Mr. Sesno:
But you’re not high-tech. You’re a human being.
Dr. Bentz:
I’m a human being. And I think if there is one thing
that comes out of this--and I think that your point,
Alison, was perfectly well-made--and that is they do
want both of those things. And we would hope, as a
family physician, that the tech doesn’t get in the
way of the touch.