Table 3.

Attitudes to medical consultation e-mail

Question	N (%)
Do you use e-mail?
Yes	171 (85.5)
No	29 (14.5)
How do you feel about getting your physician’s e-mail address?
Very interested	25 (14.6)
Would not object	85 (49.7)
Not interested	61 (35.7)
Getting my physician’s e-mail address could improve the relationship between us:
Agree	121 (70.8)
Do not agree	50 (29.2)
Getting my physician’s e-mail address could improve my sense of security even if I don’t use it:
Agree	97 (56.7)
Do not agree	74 (43.3)
Email is an effective means of communication that could solve my problems:
Agree	44 (25.7)
Do not agree	127 (74.3)
e-mail can cut down on the number of clinic visits:
Agree	46 (26.9)
Do not agree	125 (73.1)
e-mail can reduce the number of emergency room visits:
Agree	30 (17.5)
Do not agree	141 (82.5)
Getting your physician’s email address could interfere with his/her privacy when they’re not working:
Agree	98 (57.6)
Do not agree	72 (42.4)
The physician should not be sent an e-mail because there are telephone centers that are active after clinic hours:
Agree	143 (84.1)
Do not agree	27 (15.9)
The physician should not be sent an e-mail because in emergencies one can call for an ambulance or go to the emergency room:
Agree	159 (93.5)
Do not agree	11 (6.5)
The physician should not be sent an e-mail because medical errors can occur if a physical examination is not performed:
Agree	155 (91.2)
Do not agree	15 (8.8)
The physician should not be sent an e-mail because there is a risk of miscommunication:
Agree	154 (90.6)
Do not agree	16 (9.4)
The physician should not be sent an e-mail because it can interfere with his clinic work:
Agree	119 (70.0)
Do not agree	51 (30.0)
There is no reason against getting the physician’s personal e-mail address:
Agree	10 (5.9)
Do not agree	160 (94.1)
At what times would you send the doctor and e-mail message?
Only at appointed hours	53 (48.6)
Only during daytime hours (excepting Saturdays and holidays)	30 (27.5)
At all hours including nights, Saturdays and holidays	26 (23.9)
Under which circumstance would you send your physician an e-mail message?
Only in emergencies	62 (56.9)
Whenever I think I need a medical consultation	47 (43.1)
If the HMO provided the physician with a laptop computer and paid for Internet services, that would motivate him/her to provide the e-mail address:
Agree	102 (59.6)
Do not agree	60 (40.4)
If the HMO gave the physician extra pay for email consultations, it would motivate him/her to provide the email address:
Agree	116 (67.8)
Do not agree	55 (32.2)
If the HMO gave the physician dedicated time for e-mail consultations, it would motivate him/her to provide the e-mail address:
Agree	144 (84.2)
Do not agree	27 (15.8)
Have you asked for your physician’s e-mail address in the past?
Yes	1 (0.6)
No	170 (99.4)
Do you have your physician’s e-mail address?
Yes	0 (0)
No	171 (100.0)