The software contains questionnaires for more than 2,000 distinct patient complaints. Recently, Wenner used interview email to diagnose petit mal epilepsy. She saved a visit to me and one to the neurologist. I collected half the information I needed before I even saw the patient. It gets better.
Patients pay the interview co-pay.
Wenner knows that not all patients will use structured email. Wenner's Web site will be up and running by spring. In tests, Wenner says, interview email cut lab costs 30 to 50 percent. Now they'd be helpless without it. Web-enabled tools, including email, will move from novelty to necessity as physician electronic connectivity to patients becomes the norm.