Zoom backdrops – choose wisely, especially for trust…

Houchens and teammates evaluated how patients respond to different scenes behind physicians during Zoom-type telemedicine appointments and their findings are likely more generally applicable. The investigators “assessed patient preferences for various visual backgrounds during video visits [with physicians]. . . . surveys included photographs of a model physician in different environments. . . . Patients selected their preferred environment, and a composite score was calculated across 6 domains (how knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable, and professional the physician appeared, and how comfortable the physician made the respondent feel). . . . The solid color background garnered a mean composite score of 7.7 [possible score range 1 to 10]. . . . The physician office displaying diplomas was rated highest across 5 domains (mean . . . composite score, 7.8. . . .) Significantly lower mean . . . scores were calculated for the bedroom (7.2 . . .) and kitchen (7.0 . . . ) environments. . . . Numerous studies have found nonverbal communication to be a modifiable determinant of patient trust and satisfaction.”
Nathan Houchens, Sanjay Saint, Latoya Kuhn, David Ratz, Jason Engle, and Jennifer Meddings. 2024. “Patient Preferences for Telemedicine Video Backgrounds.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 7, no. 5, e2411512, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11512