Doctors don't do email
I have a few friends who have email contact with their kids' teachers, and I'm envious. Emailing my kids' teachers would be nice, but I can't even imagine emailing their doctor. I've been a part of the "call and make an appointment" system so long, it's hard to imagine it any other way.But patients are pushing for doctors to move into the 21st century and use email on a more regular basis. Doctors, however, are reluctant. A recent survey found that only 31% use email to communicate with patients. Doctors cite workload concerns, as well as compensation for time spent and privacy issues as reasons for not using email.
I only see one doctor with any regularity, my allergist. He's such a busy guy, I'd be afraid to communicate with him through email. With my flexible schedule, however, it's easy for me to pop in and see him. If I was working a 40+ hour work week, I might feel differently.
What about you? Does your doctor use email? Do you wish that he or she would?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-24-2008 @ 8:10AM
Jacki said...
My oncologist and I email each other. We both find it convenient, compared to trying to talk on the phone or schedule an appointment for non-emergent issues. In fact, he gave me the post-cancer go-ahead to have my tummy tuck surgery over email. Now I think I may have signed some kind of waiver or something giving him permission to communicate in this manner.
Jacki
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4-24-2008 @ 12:34PM
Meg said...
My doctor does email and it's been GREAT! I have been able to cut down on appointments by half (at least), which saves us both money and time. And it creates a record I can go back and look at later on too. It's totally changed everything! I can even email one of the nurses or pharmacists to ask questions. And my doctor has never taken more than 24 hours to respond to a message, either. This is totally the way to go! It's awesome!
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