Picture: Dr. Paul Ekman from paulekman.com
Dr. Ekman’s PhD and life’s work involves studying human faces, their expressions, and their linkage to emotions. It turns out (see link), that:
- Facial expressions are a true reflection of underlying emotion.
- Sometimes expressions leak out unintentionally.
- Facial expressions are universal regardless of culture
- It is difficult to detect facial expressions, but it can be trained.
- Bidirectionality. Holding a joyful facial expression can improve mood!
https://www.paulekman.com/blog/my-six-discoveries/
And maybe this is the underlying reason why, when physicians use computers in the exam room (without medical assistants or a scribe) that they feel less connected to their patients. At least one component of the loss of connection is missing the non-verbal facial expressions. Paul Ekman would argue, that even briefer than regular facial expressions, would be the micro-expressions of patients who either actively suppress known emotions, or fascinatingly, unconsciously leak emotions that even the patient does not perceive.
Whoa.
There was a TV show in 2009, based on Dr. Ekman’s work, called “Lie to Me” which I followed for a season or 2 until the science was drowned out by Hollywood drama. Consider watching season one, where the majority of the science was explained, the storyline of solving murders and other mysteries. A fun way to taste the science of this work, while being entertained.
Here’s another blog post: parent’s guide to Inside Out, the Pixar movie about internal emotions:
Inside Out
CMIO’s take? Micro facial expressions are SO useful in the work of a physician caring for patients. Interestingly, it can be equally useful in the work of an informaticist detecting hidden emotion in meetings and in the management of CHANGE in an organization.
