Successful practices in the use of secure e-mail

Perm J. 2014 Summer;18(3):50-4. doi: 10.7812/TPP/13-160. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Abstract

Physician use of secure e-mail with patients is anticipated to increase under Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements, but little is known about how physicians can successfully incorporate it into daily work. We interviewed 27 "super user" physicians at Kaiser Permanente and Group Health who were identified by leaders as being technologically, operationally, and clinically adept and as having high levels of secure e-mail use with patients. They highly valued the use of secure e-mail with patients, despite concerns about a lack of adequate time to respond, and provided tips for using it successfully. They identified benefits that included better care and improved relationships with their patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • California
  • Electronic Mail*
  • Family Practice / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Quality of Health Care / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Management
  • Workflow