Patients with cancer and e-mail: implications for clinical communication.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to collect information about cancer patients' current e-mail use and willingness to communicate with healthcare providers by e-mail.


METHODS
A cohort of 208 patients, undergoing treatment at a comprehensive cancer center in an urban academic medical center in southeastern USA, participated in this descriptive study. An Internet use questionnaire was developed and then used to survey patients with cancer.


RESULTS
The majority of patients indicated that e-mail would be a desirable method of clinical communication. A subset of patients would not use e-mail for clinical purposes even if they had access.


CONCLUSIONS
E-mail communication may be an acceptable form of communication among patients, nurses, and other members of the support team. Because a subset of patients will not use this form of communication, assessment of individual patient preferences for use of e-mail is indicated prior to enrolling them in an e-mail communication program.
Dilts
David
D
Center for Management Research in Healthcare, Engineering Management Program, School of Engineering and Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, 401 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
Ridner
Sheila H
SH
Franco
Alejandro
A
Murphy
Barbara
B
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003142:Communication; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult