Advertisement
Latest print edition American Medical News
 
BUSINESS

Patients say online service options are limited

Quick View. Oct. 9, 2006.

  • PRINT|
  • E-MAIL|
  • RESPOND|
  • REPRINTS|
  • Share SHARE Share

A majority of Americans would like to communicate electronically with their physicians, but most report that the option isn't available.


Which of the following technologies would you like to have access to when seeking care from a doctor or hospital?
Yes No Not sure
Electronic medical record 64% 18% 19%
E-mail 74% 14% 13%
Internet appointment scheduling 75% 14% 11%
Diagnostic test results via e-mail 67% 22% 11%
Home-monitoring device 57% 21% 22%
E-mailed appointment reminders 77% 13% 9%
To what extent do you have access to the following technology?
Use Available but don't use Not available Not sure
EMR 2% 3% 73% 22%
E-mail 4% 4% 73% 19%
Internet appointment scheduling 3% 4% 75% 18%
Diagnostic test results via e-mail 2% 3% 76% 19%
Home-monitoring device 2% 3% 76% 19%
E-mailed appointment reminders 4% 3% 74% 19%
If you could choose between two doctors, but only one used the following types of information technology in his or her practice, how much would this influence your choice of doctors?
A great deal/
To some extent
Not much/
Not at all
Not sure
EMR 54% 34% 12%
E-mail 62% 29% 9%

According to a Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll, 74% of the 2,624 adult respondents said they would like to be able to e-mail their physicians, but 73% said that the service was not available to them. The poll, which was conducted between Sept. 5-7 and released Sept. 22, has a margin of error of 3%.

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Source: Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health Care Poll

Back to top


Copyright 2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.