Use of E-mail in health care Society
The Internet and e-mail are often considered as one and the same even though both can be used separately. Nevertheless, e-mail has grown into the single most common use of the Internet. While the majority of e-mail is asynchronous, instant messaging (IM) and short messaging service (SMS) allow for real-time exchanges. However, IM and SMS lack interoperability between competing systems and are currently less secure than some forms of e-mail exchange.
The personal computer (PC) is still the major originator and receiver of e-mails in the United States, but there are now many wireless, non-PC options such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, and telephones. Creation of e-mails is still primarily a keyboard function but voice to text is evolving.
E-mail and Internet use by patients is expected to continue to escalate as members of Generation Y (those born between 1977 and 1995) begin to use the health care system in earnest.
Some of the health care expectations and behaviors are summarized by the patients:
• Are very involved in their health and well-being
• Assume their physicians are using the latest diagnostic and treatment tools
• Expect attention and will not tolerate being rushed through a visit
• Bring detailed notes with them
• Research their symptoms and have questions
• Know or demand to know their options
• Expect expanded hours to accommodate their schedules
• Expect continual online availability