Seventeen Benefits of Using E-mail with Patients

BPO—TRAC
Seventeen Benefits of Using E-mail with Patients

1. You are providing a valuable service to your patients in a way that benefits you as well.

2. You save time. For example, a patient telephone call takes three to five minutes, but responding to an e-mail question takes less than one minute.

3. You stop avoiding patients who take advantage of you. "Since I've got you on the phone doctor. . . ."

4. No more phone tag with patients.

5. You spend less time dealing with low-priority patient issues freeing your time for more urgent issues.

6. Because they can take the time to compose a complete question, patients sometimes tell you things in an e-mail that they will not say in person.

7. You can provide or connect your patients to educational material you or others have written.

8. Patients can e-mail your staff to schedule appointments, resolve billing problems and so on.

9. With a secure e-mail system, you can give test/lab results, refill prescriptions and change medication.

10. Your staff can screen and sort your e-mail traffic before you see it.

11. You can inform patients of their scheduled appointments, ask questions and check on their progress.

12. Hearing-impaired patients love it.

13. Patients do not feel guilty or hesitant about taking up your time, especially if you charge for the service.

14. Malpractice risk is reduced as all communication is in writing and can be stored forever. It is not subject to interpretation, alteration or exaggeration.

15. You, your staff and your patients can deal with e-mail when it's convenient, at work or home.

16. You can easily and quickly communicate to all of your patients whenever you like. For example, e-mail newsletters or general announcements.

17. Patients feel you are more accessible to them. They feel better cared for and more likely to remain loyal.