Trend: Few US doctors respond to patient email

Not only are physicians struggling with implementing EMRs, few are even exchanging email with their patients, it seems. While many patients say that they'd love to use email to handle routine chores such as scheduling a visit, getting lab results or requesting medication refills, only 31 percent of physicians were emailing back and forth with patients as of first quarter 2007, when Manhattan Research conducted a survey on this subject. Even fewer have begun offering "e-visits" via email and web, though insurers seem increasingly inclined to reimburse them for such care. 

Physicians who don't use email say that they can't afford to invest the time to write email, an activity for which they aren't paid, and also fear that patients will abuse the medium. Others--particularly those whose institutions have built portals that simplify the process of communication--say that email is no different than responding to phone calls, and moreover, that it makes them more efficient. However, it seems that it will be quite some time before they're in the majority.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this Associated Press article

Related Articles:
Duke launches doctor-patient portal
Hospital portal helps doctor-patient communication
Insurers keep getting on web visit bandwagon
Trend: Health plans begin reimbursing for 'virtual visits'