Become an email savvy medical practice

Joshua Schwimmer MD over at The Efficient MD has put together a comprehensive overview of the appropriate use of patient-physician email. He speculates as to why medical practices and healthcare organizations are late adopters of email as an efficient means of communication, and then suggests some ways that email may be used:

 over at has put together a comprehensive overview of the appropriate use of . He speculates as to why medical practices and healthcare organizations are late adopters of email as an efficient means of communication, and then suggests some ways that email may be used: has put together a comprehensive overview of the appropriate use of . He speculates as to why medical practices and healthcare organizations are late adopters of email as an efficient means of communication, and then suggests some ways that email may be used:

• Asking about lab results
• Reporting potential side effects of medications
• Clarifying whether it's safe to take a certain medication
• Reporting home blood pressure readings
• Reporting blood sugar readings
• Giving positive feedback
• Giving negative feedback
• Asking for prescription renewals
• Reporting new minor (but important) symptoms
• Communication new medical issues when out of the country
• And many others

I enjoy being able to communicate with my own physician using the RelayHealth platform, and am usually delighted to get a quick response. It certainly saves playing phone tag.

Dr. Howard Stark, in a recent Entrepreneurial MD podcast, sang the praises of his tranquil office. His receptionist's phone seldom rings, as most of the communication with patients is handled via his "invention" - a web-based encrypted, HIPAA-compliant virtual office now available to other practices from DoctorsOnTheWeb.net.

Check out the brief MSNBC video with Matt Lauer and Dr. Nancy Schneiderman on Dr Stark's site! They discuss the future of email in medical practices.

What are your thoughts?