[seabiscuit]

Hi,

I would like to get some opinions about how people feel regarding contacting their health professionals via email, if they offer that service.

Two doctors that I have known have given me their email addresses and I have found that to be very helpful. I know of other people who contact their doctors via email too. I am debating whether or not to ask a specialist for his email, in case I need to contact him in betweeen appointments, especially because I live an hour away from his office. It would be easier for me to get medical information from him about my condition instead of rushing into a possible unneeded appointment. I was doing a web search for some information on my doctor and I found that he lists his email for his students on the university webpage. I don't want to use that email without his permission. I am wondering what he would think if I were to ask him whether or not he communicates with patients via email? I am not sure if I should mention that I saw his email address listed on the site for students?

Thanks.

[elvislover324]

I do email with some of my doctors and nurses but when they initiate the messages, they send them through a secured website. So you go to their website host, log in with your ID and password then communicate with them.

If I'm just asking simple questions about my care or symptoms, I'm not concerned about unsecure email. If someone wants to read about my problems by reading my email, they can knock themselves out!

I get a lot of emotion and anxiety talking on the phone about my health issues, the email takes away the requirement to talk like a human being and babble everything out without crying too much.

I'd send him an email and ask if it's ok to communicate that way. I'm sure he will either say "yes" or give you another secure way to reach him. I wouldn't even say how you found it, I don't think that part matters. I know my doctor's based on the format his nurse has, I just changed it to his initial and last name and it worked!

[SuperHeroTeacher]

I have mixed feelings about healthcare delivery via email. I understand the convenience for both the patient and provider, especially for those living in rural areas without easy access to specialty providers.

In my area (Northern California) Kaiser is offering physician appointments through email. You electronically submit you symptoms through Kaiser's secure site and a physician emails you back with a diagnosis and directions, or tells you to make a physical appointment. A coworker of mine through a lengthy electronic appointment told her doctor she had been having some severe bloating for several weeks (it was so noticeably bad I thought she was 4 or 5 months pregnant and wondered why she wasn't telling people). She got a one-sentence response from her doctor, "Take an over-counter diuretic." This is a woman with a recent history of some pretty serious health issues, including cancer.

I don't have Kaiser (and never will), and I hope this isn't the future of managed healthcare delivery. I feel like its a slippery slope, diagnosing without seeing a patient... It sounds like your purposes are to follow up on already known health issues though... So I'm not sure how I feel about that...

[elvislover324]

Oh superheroteacher, I agree with you!! I have never been diagnosed for anything via email. The only thing I ever emailed about what preparing for surgery/procedures, etc. and it was actually easier to read the nurse's instructions vs. me trying to write it all down while on the phone. Other emails with my doctors were conversations based on prior visits and when/how to proceed. That story about your coworker is awful.