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Using e-mail for doc communication decreases office visits

EHR Connection, July 16, 2007

Patients who use e-mail to communicate with physicians make fewer visits and phone calls to the physician's office, according to a study from Kaiser Permanente. The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, shows that using secure e-mail linked to an EHR resulted in a 7%-10% decrease in annual adult primary care outpatient visits. Using e-mail also led to 14% less phone contact between physicians and patients, compared to those not using online services. Also, patients using e-mail were less likely to schedule an office visit. The study shows that using e-mail for nonurgent concerns was more convenient for both patients and physicians.

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