Table 4.
Physicians who described potential facilitators of and barriers to using e-mail with patients as being fairly or very influential in their decision
| FACILITATOR OR BARRIER | N (%) |
|---|---|
| Potential facilitators* | |
| • E-mails automatically uploaded into EMR | 463 (82) |
| • E-mail sent directly from EMR | 434 (77) |
| • Can easily block patients who use e-mail inappropriately | 436 (77) |
| • Higher level of e-mail security | 425 (75) |
| • Financial compensation for e-mail communication | 420 (74) |
| • Appropriate use of e-mail guidelines | 406 (72) |
| • Reserved time in schedule to e-mail patients | 384 (68) |
| • Free secure e-mail service | 381 (67) |
| • Triaging of incoming e-mails by other team members | 375 (66) |
| • Training on e-mail privacy standards | 318 (56) |
| • E-mail app on cell phone | 161 (28) |
| Potential barriers† | |
| • Privacy and security concerns | 503 (88) |
| • Inappropriate use by patients | 503 (88) |
| • Creation of unrealistic expectations of physician availability | 497 (87) |
| • Outside-hours contact from patients | 448 (78) |
| • Potential for increased workload | 426 (74) |
| • Privacy laws | 415 (72) |
| • Lack of consistent guidance or advice about using e-mail with patients | 386 (67) |
| • Fear of malpractice or of being sued | 280 (49) |
| • Lack of specific remuneration | 259 (45) |
| • Financial cost of e-mail or e-mail service | 142 (25) |
EMR—electronic medical record.
*
Analysis included information from all respondents who reported practising office-based primary care, answered the question related to using e-mail with patients, and answered the questions on facilitators of e-mailing with patients (N = 567).
†
Analysis included information from all respondents who reported practising office-based primary care, answered the question related to using e-mail with patients, and answered the questions on barriers to e-mailing with patients (N = 573).