A comparative study of the utility of new media technologies and power distance in doctor-patient communication in the Philippines and the United States

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to examine the role of power distance in physicians’ desired impression by patients, as well as doctors’ attitudes toward utilizing new media technologies. Qualitative interviews were conducted in the United States and the Philippines - which have divergent power distance scores. Results revealed three major themes. First, power distance was manifested in how each country’s doctors wanted to be perceived by patients. The second theme was that doctors perceived today’s patients to be more informed than in the past; however, Philippine doctors viewed this as a challenge while U.S. doctors viewed it as an opportunity to initiate conversation. The third theme identified differences in litigation concerns, which influenced attitudes toward using new media technologies in their practice.