The aim of this study was to empirically investigate the barriers in doctor-patient communication and knowledge
transfer and the role of innovative technologies in overcoming these barriers. We applied qualitative research
methods.
Our results show that patients extensively use information sources, primarily the Internet before the visits. Patients
regularly apply a self-diagnosis regarding their diseases. This implies several risks as many of them are not able to
properly interpret the found information and at the same time the information might not be reliable. To overcome
these risks efforts are required within the fields of technology developments for making web sites more reliable and
improvement of the health culture of patients, as well.
Our research identified the most significant barriers of doctor-patient communication including limited time, the
patients’ distress, inadequate health culture and prior knowledge, as well as poor communication skills of some
clinicians. Technology might help clinicians to use their limited time more effectively.
In the long term, innovative technology solutions might take over some tasks of the health care personnel if they
provide reliable health information adapted to the patient’s health, emotional and psychosocial status. Barriers of access to the new technology should be identified and addressed otherwise it would increase the already existing knowledge gap between patients and doctors