Surgeons' and nurses' use of e-mail communication with head and neck cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
"Telephone tag" for questions about postoperative symptoms and other concerns often engenders dissatisfaction. E-mail use may improve communication between patients and clinicians. This study aimed to describe surgeons' and nurses' use of E-mail with patients and their caregivers after head and neck cancer surgery.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional national survey of head and neck nurses and surgeons.


RESULTS
Ninety-six percent of surgeon and 87% of nurse respondents used E-mail, but only 40% and 25%, respectively, used it with patients. More than 50% of both clinician groups that used E-mail with patients have done so for 2 to 5 years and began this practice at the request of patients. Surgeons not using E-mail with patients were twice as likely as nurses to cite privacy and liability issues, as well as time management and miscommunication concerns.


CONCLUSIONS
Some clinicians use E-mail with patients, most often by patient request. Medicolegal and clinical ramifications require further study.
Kagan
Sarah H
SH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 420 Guardian Drive, Room 365, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096, USA. skagan@nursing.upenn.edu
Clarke
Sean P
SP
Happ
Mary Beth
MB
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003219:Confidentiality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations