And I think it's really a lot more personal, in some ways, than a phone call. Studies show patients like the convenience of e-mail, and doctors who use it say it improves their efficiency. I believe we're all going to be using e-mail in patient care a lot more. Both to consult with our colleagues and to consult with our patients. Right now less than 5 percent of doctors exchange e-mail with their patients, but as that figure grows, so do concerns about the possible misuse of this technology.
Some doctors are afraid of being flooded with more e-mail than they can answer.
Others say e-mail shouldn't be used as a substitute for seeing a doctor when you need a diagnosis or a prescription. Dr. Kenneth Mandl says there are also questions about privacy on the internet. I think this is the time to think about exactly that kind of question. To address such concerns, Dr. Sands has helped write guidelines for doctors on appropriate e-mail use. First, of course, you need to find out if your doctor has e-mail.