A Simple Question The medical assistant taps her badge on the card reader, unlocking the examination room computer. After locating my name on today’s schedule, Sheila confirms that I am the 69-year-old human version of the electronic patient on her screen. She clicks through the drop downs. “Okay, Bruce,” she says—calling me by my first name, something I never did with patients during my 35-year career as a practicing physician—“any change in your medications?” “No. No changes,” I reply.