I have used e-mail now for many years and proudly add my e-mail address to all correspondence with patients and to my business card. My real concern is the fear that doctors seem to have about allowing their patients e-mail access. Surely it is far better to have a patient e-mail their GP and have an endless list of telephone calls to return at the end of the day. At least with e-mail, I can deal with them at a time that suits me. There is nothing worse than playing telephone tag with a patient.
In 2010 we need to step up to the mark and acknowledge that e-mail has become the most common and effective communication tool that we have.
I long to embrace e consultations. They are often funny, diverting them require patients to formulate reasonably meaningful communications with doctors. This makes the patient more likely to be involved in their own care. The Ubiquity and banality of mobile phone consultations bores me stupid. I refuse to give out my mobile phone number except to patients over 75 who can not remember more than six digits in a row, I will gladly provide my e-mail address to any and all of my patients. Surprisingly they do not abuse my inbox and life has become infinitely more manageable.
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