Online and On Call: Part Three

How to Discuss the Use of Email With Your Doctor

Now that you understand the risks and benefits of email in patient care and you know what concerns your doctor might have, you’re ready to broach the subject with him or her.

If your doctor already allows electronic communication and has invited you to communicate with him or her this way, then you’re all set. You should simply reassure your doctor that you will never use email for urgent or sensitive communication, that you will use it judiciously, and that you will conform to whatever rules your physician outlines for you.

Some physicians may have a written agreement they want you to sign, and you should keep a copy for your records.

If your doctor has not brought up the subject, you may do so. It is important to be sensitive to your physician’s concerns, so broach the subject gently.

• Ask your doctor if it would be all right to use email to communicate with him or her.  If they say they would welcome it:
• Ask what policies and procedures they have in place and pledge to adhere to them.
• If they have none, offer to adhere to standard guidelines.
• If they seem uncomfortable with the idea, ask if they ever use email for any other types of communication.
• If they do, ask them why they don’t use email to communicate with patients. You might mention the following:
• Email could improve the efficiency of your communication with him or her, especially compared to the time required for telephone or personal appointments.
• Standard guidelines exist that will ensure that email can be used safely and productively in your relationship.
• You will not send frequent or long-winded messages.
• Express an understanding that email should not be used for emergencies, or for time-sensitive or medically sensitive issues.
• If they do not use email at all but seem open-minded about it, you might mention the fact that many physicians are finding this communication method useful, and that when they have begun to use email you would be willing to try it out with them.

Additional communication services
Another factor for your doctor to consider are new services, which, for little or no money, provide a secure Web-based communication channel.

These services use similar technology to those that have empowered e-businesses by providing secure channels for customers to enter financial information online. This allows for communication without concerns about misdirecting messages or having others read them. This service also can provide a more structured form of communication than simple email.

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