title: Physicians' perceptions toward electronic communication with patients.
abstract: Despite the widespread use of email, electronic communication between physicians and patients is not part of the standard physician-patient relationship in the United States. Increased use of email may improve physician-patient communication, which is associated with improved patient satisfaction and health status. Evaluating email communication in this context is vital to minimizing potential risks and maximizing benefit to physicians and patients. We evaluated email use between physicians and patients, and physicians perceptions of the value and issues surrounding this form of communication in order to identify issues that would facilitate and improve electronic communication.
authors.affiliation: Information Systems, Partners HealthCare System, Wellesley, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pizziferri
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kittler
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Yamini
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jagannath
authors.forename: Jagannath S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Blackford
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bates
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D034742:Electronic Mail; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians