August 24, 2004
E-mail in Healthcare
While most physicians in Western countries have e-mail access, very few actually use the medium to communicate with patients. According to two papers in the BMJ, the reason for such a disparity centers around concerns about confidentiality, potential for errors and liability and obtaining payment. Physicians also worry about the "quality, security and safety of e-mail consultations.
It is estimated that only 1% to 10% of U.S. patients communicate with their physicians electronically. Many patients would like to use e-mail for services such as appointment booking, refilling prescriptions and scheduling non-urgent consultations. The articles suggest that each specialty develops policies and standards that the public and health care professionals will trust. Physicians should also use a standard protocol for acceptable topics of e-mail communication, and doctors and patients should only communicate through designated e-mail addresses and services
BMJ Articles
Email consultations in health care: 1—scope and effectiveness
Email consultations in health care: 2—acceptability and safe application