The Origin, Content, and Workload of E-mail Consultations

Article Abstract:

Researchers from the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Children's Medical Center of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville report their experience with e-mail consultations with patients. Between November 1, 1995, and June 31, 1998, the physicians received 1,239 e-mails from children, parents, relatives or guardians. Eighty-one percent were from parents. Sixty-nine percent of the e-mail communications were about a child's symptoms, test results or treatment. Eighty-seven percent of the communications were answered within 48 hours of the request. It took fewer than four minutes on average to read and respond to each message.

---

Responses to Unsolicited Patient E-mail Requests for Medical Adviceon the World Wide Web

Article Abstract:

Many physicians do not respond to e-mail messages from patients. Researchers sent an e-mail message from a fictitious patient with a skin lesion to 58 physicians whose e-mail address was listed on a World Wide Web site with information about dermatology. Only half responded and 59% listed the correct diagnosis in their response. A follow-up questionnaire revealed that 28% of the physicians never answered e-mail from patients.

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Reduced cortical responses to noxious heat in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mutual antagonism of rheumatoid arthritis and hay fever; a role for type 1/type 2 T cell balance
• Abstracts: Documenting the educational content of morning report. To teach is to learn twice: resident teachers learn more
• Abstracts: Neonatal Autopsies. Review of Hazards Associated With Children Placed in Adult Beds
• Abstracts: More precision in diagnosing appendicitis. Indications for computed tomography in patients with minor head injury
• Abstracts: Profiling: getting into the habit of making connections. Getting involved in curriculum planning. Check the quality not the length

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.