title: Communicating with patients via e-mail: is it a good idea?
abstract: As e-mail becomes an everyday part of more people's lives--and an important part of the way business is done--optometrists are naturally beginning to use it with patients. However, e-mail communication with patients creates a new set of potential dangers that doctors must consider: What defines the doctor-patient relationship? Should diagnoses be made and delivered via e-mail? How can privacy and confidentiality be maintained? Can marketing be done tastefully via e-mail? This author addresses each of these issues from a medico-legal perspective and offers advice on professional, ethical ways to communicate with patients via e-mail.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Steinberg
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000639:trends*; D003219:Confidentiality; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006801:Humans; D009907:Optometry / Q000639:trends*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018907:Privacy; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000639:trends*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations