The Electronic Health Record and Acquired Physician Autism

I had just finished a hurried explanation of the cause of the acanthosis now present on the young patient’s neck. I was abrupt and crass as I listed the various and disconcerting consequences of the patient’s obesity, which now included evidence of evolving insulin resistance. The parental distress in response to my lecture was palpable, but I suppressed my feelings of compassion. Instead, I remained staring at my computer, typing and clicking while providing terse answers to the parent’s ensuing questions of concern...