| Abstract | Increased use of e-mail by physicians, patients, and other health care organizations and staff has the potential
to reshape the current boundaries of relationships in medical practice. By comparing reception of e-mail
technology in medical practice with its historical analogue, reception of the telephone, this article suggests that
new expectations, practice standards, and potential liabilities emerge with the introduction of this new
communication technology. Physicians using e-mail should be aware of these considerations and construct
their e-mail communications accordingly, recognizing that e-mail may be included in the patient's medical
record. Likewise, physicians should discuss the ramifications of communicating electronically with patients
and obtain documented informed consent before using e-mail. Physicians must keep patient information
confidential, which will require taking precautions (including encryption to prevent interception) to preserve
patient information, trust, and the integrity of the patient-physician relationship. |