Why aren’t more Docs Web MDs?
February 9, 2007
In an article in USA Today, this is stated as a fact but primarily based on the 2005 Harris Interactive poll. The interviewees for the article tend to confirm a low adoption rate for email communication with patients but debunk the fears that privacy will be compromised and that physicians will be overwhelmed with emails.
- first, there needs to be updated survey data on physician adoption of email communication. More large group practices and small are providing this service as a way to distinguish their practice in a competitive market.
- Second, privacy can be protected if the email is secure. There a plenty of services that now provide secure portals.
- Third, managing patient emails depends on incentives – for Kaiser, an HMO, patient emails potentially reduce visits which make the physician’s schedule lighter and reduces cost for the HMO. For non-HMO physicians, the incentives is more visits rather than non-reimbursed emails. Once the right incentives are in place, the adoption rates will catch on since the technology is solid and available if implemented right.
