More and more attention is being paid to the concept of doctors having email communications with their patients. A recent study highlighted in the American Medical News states there is a strong link between patients' ability to e-mail physicians and improved patient outcomes. There are a few problems with this. The study was conducted by Kaiser Permanente. Gee, I wonder if they had an ulterior motive to get doctors to spend more time on the computer? The study also said that physicians received between 2 to 12 messages per day and spent an average of 3.5 minutes responding to each message. I am not sure that I want to spend 40 minutes extra a day on the computer. And I am sure that number would multiply exponentially as the word got out. Lastly, the article never mentions renumeration. So let me get this straight, more work, no pay and high liability. Yeah, count me in.
Posts
