By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack
    December 19, 2013
    IT Strategy for Health Plans: Interview with ikaSystems CEO Joe Marabito
    August 11, 2014
    A New Kind of Stress Test
    May 26, 2015
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Is E-mailing with Patients a Good Idea?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Remote Diagnostics > Is E-mailing with Patients a Good Idea?
eHealthRemote Diagnostics

Is E-mailing with Patients a Good Idea?

Michael Kirsch
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Physicians speak with patients every day on the phone for a variety of reasons. Our practice now uses a portal system, giving patients access to some of their medical data and to us.  Although I was resistant to having e-mail communications with patients, I have come to appreciate the advantages.

Physicians speak with patients every day on the phone for a variety of reasons. Our practice now uses a portal system, giving patients access to some of their medical data and to us.  Although I was resistant to having e-mail communications with patients, I have come to appreciate the advantages.

  • It relieves our ever congested phone lines
  • It relieves patients from a state of suspended animation as they hope and pray that a living breathing human being will return to the line after being placed on hold
  • It saves our staff time, who no longer have to triage calls as the patient directly reaches the doctor

While this streamlined cyber communication system is useful, it does have limitations.  It can’t solve every problem.  Indeed, some issues are not appropriate for either a phone call or an e-mail.

Calling his doctor?

Consider the following scenarios.  Which can be appropriately handled on the phone and which merit a face to face encounter with a physician?

More Read

Interview with Paul Wicks, PatientsLikeMe, Keynote Speaker at Doctors 2.0 & You Conference
Wearable Computers, Biosensors and Sanity
Would You See An iRobot Doc in the ER?
Beyond the Buzz: The Ultimate List of the Best Free Social Media Management Tools for Your Healthcare Marketing
Beyond the Buzz: A Guide to Social Media Monitoring for Healthcare
  • I was in the emergency room yesterday and they told me to call you for pain medicine.
  • My diverticulitis is acting up and I need an antibiotic.
  • My breathing is worse.  I think it’s a side-effect of the new heart medicine I started last week.
  • What can I take for constipation?
  • My cousin had the same symptoms and it ended up being her gallbladder. Can you give me the name of a surgeon?
  • I’m dizzy and my hemorrhoids have been bleeding for a week. What can I take?
  • I have hepatitis C.  Is is okay if my grandchildren visit?
  • I had some chest pain yesterday when I was shoveling snow.  Should I double my Nexium?

The practice of  medicine is not fully wireless, at least not yet.  Sure, e-mail is convenient for everyone, but if used too casually it can become quicksand. Often, the patient feels an e-mail is sufficient, but the physician may not be comfortable, depending upon the medical facts and how well the doctor knows this patient.  When you are face to face with your doctor, the medical history will be more detailed, there may be a physical examination, and there will be a dialogue and review of treatment options.  It’s a lot easier for us to assess your pain, for example, when you are in front of us.  Moreover, when you return to see us for a follow-up visit, we have a baseline to use as a comparison.

What are your thoughts on all this?   Feel free to e-mail me, but I’d prefer if you came to see me
face to face.

TAGGED:doctor-patient communicatione-mail
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Healthcare IT Trends to Watch for This Year

February 10, 2016

In a World of Cloud Services, Are HL7 Interface Engines Dead?

May 9, 2012

Free Health Care Website: Consider the Business Model

February 1, 2014
Medical Device Marketing FDA Regulations
BusinesseHealthMedical DevicesMobile HealthPolicy & LawSocial MediaTechnology

Social Media and FDA Regulation for Medical Devices

October 10, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?