If you do an image search on google or with any of the stock photo vendors for “physician” the three elements that tend to be consistent are:
1) a doctor and patient in the exam room
2) a stethoscope, and
3) a chart
These three constants are essentially a visual cue for the profession and frankly have been for a very long time. (Fun trick – do the same search for “1950 doctor” - and aside from hair style and fashion you see more or less the same image constants.)
What is striking is how quickly this image and these constants are likely to be altered. With the seismic digital transformation underway in health care there are several forces of change that will change not only the stereotypical image of a HCP, but also their role in supporting patients in the pursuit of better health outcomes.
