Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Mar;28(3):161-5. doi: 10.1155/2014/764538.
E-mail correspondence between physicians and patients can be a useful tool to improve communication efficiency, provide economic and ecological benefits, improve therapeutic interventions and adherence, and enhance self-management. The model of self-management in chronic disease has become an integral component of North American and British medicine. From a practical standpoint, the use of e-mail between physicians and patients can complement the self-management model. E-mail communication has many benefits from both patient and physician perspectives. E-mail contact reduces the inefficiencies associated with telecommunications. Physicians are able to better document out-of-office patient encounters and provide access to specialist care for patients in remote locations. This use of e-mail has the potential to increase patient safety through physician approval of self-manager actions, including earlier initiation of needed treatments. Fewer clinic visits afford additional time for new consultations and sicker patients, reducing the overall burden on referral and wait times. The present article reviews some of the literature regarding physician-patient e-mail communication in the general ambulatory setting, in the context of chronic disease and with a specific focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The authors provide a framework for the use of e-mail communication in the IBD population, with emphasis on the concept of e-mail use. Also illustrated are the benefits and disadvantages, and examples of the e-mail contract as proposed by the Canadian Medical Protective Association. Examples of specific e-mail communication topics are provided for several IBD scenarios. Potential negative consequences of this mode of communication are also discussed.
医生与患者间的电子邮件通信可以成为提高沟通效率、提供经济和生态效益、改善治疗干预和依从性、以及增强自我管理的有效工具。慢性病的自我管理模式已成为北美和英国医学的一个组成部分。从实际的角度来看，医生和患者间使用电子邮件可以补充自我管理模式。从患者和医生的角度来看，电子邮件通信具有许多优势。电子邮件联系减少了与远程通信相关的效率低下问题。医生能够更好地记录不在办公室的患者就诊情况，并为偏远地区的患者提供专家护理。这种电子邮件的使用有可能通过医生对自我管理行为的批准来提高患者安全性，包括更早地开始所需的治疗。减少就诊次数为新的咨询和病情较重的患者提供了更多时间，从而整体减少了转诊和等待时间的负担。本文综述了一般门诊环境中、慢性病背景下以及特别关注炎症性肠病（IBD）的情况下，医生与患者间电子邮件通信的一些文献。作者提供了在 IBD 人群中使用电子邮件通信的框架，重点介绍了电子邮件使用的概念。还阐述了电子邮件合同的优缺点以及加拿大医疗保护协会提出的电子邮件合同示例。为几种 IBD 情况提供了具体电子邮件通信主题的示例。还讨论了这种沟通模式的潜在负面影响。
