Clear communication between a dentist and their patient is the foundation on which good oral healthcare can be built. Creating trust can empower both practitioner and patient to feel more confident with each appointment and treatment.
A key tenet of a dental appointment is the oral health advice given to the patient. As the dentist may recommend a check-up in several months, it is important that patients remember the recommendations and incorporate them into their oral hygiene routine, staying healthy in between appointments. In the practice, the dentist identifies potential problems, educates the patient on preventative measures and helps treat disease, but outside of the practice it is ultimately up to the patient to look after their oral health.
However, there is an alarming level of forgetfulness among patients. Concerning appointment recall, patients forget 40-80 per cent of the information given to them. Meanwhile, patient memory retention for more technical details is also poor: in a study examining orthodontic information recollection, 70 per cent of information conveyed could not be remembered 10 days later.
Needing a memento
There are a few things to consider to mitigate forgetfulness when providing advice and treatment recommendations. The first is the patient themselves; elderly patients and those who are anxious or distressed by visiting the dentist are far more likely to forget information. For the elderly, there can be a struggle to retain episodic or unstructured information due to the fading of memory. In the case of distressed or anxious patients, the central message, such as a diagnosis, becomes the primary focus. This then means the peripheral information, such as treatment options or follow-up appointments, is less likely to be processed and stored in their memory. Identifying these patients will allow practitioners to share their opinion in a more suitable, memorable way, such as in writing.
Focusing on diagnosis is common among most patients as it generates a stronger emotional response than treatment, causing general memory of medical information to be hazily recalled and inaccurate. This means that the patient’s efforts to adhere to any instructions or treatment suggestions will be massively undermined, leading to a negative impact on their health.
Legal implications
In some circumstances, patient forgetfulness, or a misunderstanding with the dentist, can become a legal issue if dental negligence is claimed. Without a verifiable record of a consultation, it can be harder to prove or disprove a complaint.
Eighty-nine per cent of dentists fear being sued by patients. This worry not only impacts the day at work, but it can also cause anxiety and stress at home too, making it harder to properly disengage from work. Across all professions, nearly four out of five UK workers regularly experience work-related stress, so this epidemic should be combatted wherever possible.
With the threat of legal action and its damaging effect on mental health among practitioners, finding a solution to patient forgetfulness is important. The professional obligation to create records of every appointment is for consent and legal protection, whilst the updating of medical histories aids in diagnosis and treatment planning for higher quality care. But, documenting patient notes can be a rushed process if attempting them during or immediately after the appointment, and leaving the notes for later on in the day can lead to minor details being forgotten.
Robo-takeover
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to record comprehensive information is the best way to make sure details are noted quickly and reliably, with a reduction in human error. This would also be a great asset legally, with complete, accurate notes about the patient’s appointment having been reliably recorded.
With an AI tool assisting, the dentist or dental nurse doesn’t have to rapidly type up everything word for word. This is beneficial for the practice, as it saves time for staff, and the patient, who can request the document to ensure they have correctly understood all the information given.
It has been noted that spoken information supported by writing can be more easily remembered, so using an AI tool can be a major benefit. Kiroku offers a software that helps staff complete their notes 60 per cent faster. Using clickable buttons that auto-populate the section being worked on and templates that can be pre-prepared by Kiroku or the practitioner, note taking has never been so simple. Focused on speed, Kiroku works on any browser with no download or installation required.
Having well-documented resources for patients to read will improve their care, empowering them through education so that they are far less likely to forget what you advise. With greater legal protection and enhanced patient understanding, using AI for note taking makes life easier for all.
References available on request.