Head and neck cancer patient and family member interest in and use of E-mail to communicate with clinicians.
BACKGROUND
E-mail is actively discussed as a promising method for clinical communication, but little study of patient and family preferences regarding its use has been done. This study aimed to describe patients' and family members' interest in and use of E-mail with their surgeons and nurses after head and neck cancer surgery.


METHODS
Surveys were distributed to patients and family members attending postoperative clinic visits. Seventy-four patients and 35 caregivers completed the surveys.


RESULTS
Although one in three patients expressed interest in E-mailing their clinicians, only 9.5% reported actually doing so. Symptom management and prescription refills were the most common issues addressed by E-mail. Few family members expressed any interest in using E-mail.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that E-mail communication between patients with head and neck cancer or their family members with surgeons and nurses is not common. Interest in using E-mail tends to be stronger among patients than family members.
Kagan
Sarah H
SH
School of Nursing and Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 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
D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000295:instrumentation; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010361:Patients; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires