Physicians Making Eye Contact with Patients Is Important

ROBERT B. TAYLOR

ROBERT B. TAYLOR, MD, FAAFP, Portland, Ore., E-mail: taylorr@ohsu.edu

Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(6):418a-419

Original Article: Cancer Screening in Older Patients

Issue Date: April 15, 2016

Available online at: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0415/p659.html

to the editor: Applause for the cover photo on the April 15, 2016, issue of American Family Physician, showing a physician making eye contact with the patient while making a few notes on paper.

As I have added years to my stated age and new entries to my problem list, I have assembled a stable of organ-focused doctors, all of whom talk to me over their shoulders while tapping computer keys or stand behind the protection of a scribe. Only my direct primary care physician sits and looks me in the eye when we are talking.

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This series is coordinated by Kenny Lin, MD, MPH, deputy editor.

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