Internet changing the way people manage their health - The Cancer Blog
62% reported using online health tools.
56% reported improvement in their health management due to personal technology.
2% of patients with chronic diseases thought that online health tools had
improved their management.
One third of patients thought that online tools enabled them to be an 'equal partner with my care providers in making health
decisions.'
62% reported that they would go to their personal physician for information and advice; 44% said they sought information and advice on medical Web sites; 32% said that found healthcare information and advice through an online search.
The Internet ranked as number 3 among the top 5 sources for
medical information.
62% said that their physician did not utilize the Internet to manage their health.
Among ways respondents said that their physicians do utilize the Internet include: direct e-mail communication with patients; scheduling of appointments; offering a way to check on practice and credentials on a Web site.
27% thought their physician fully embraced the Internet.
Only 11% of physicians communicate by e-mail even though 45% of
Americans would like this method of contact.
34% of patients wanted to access lab results by a secure Web site while only 7% stated that they had this option.
33% would like to schedule appointments online but only 7% said that this was currently available to them.
40% of patients had privacy concerns with the use of the Internet. A quarter of patients were concerned that private medical information could be used inappropriately.
Interesting statistics about people's use of the internet and what they would like.
I was surprised that 45% would like to have a physician's email.
I do this only with my major surgical patients.
3 comments:
Why do you e-mail your major surgical patients?
I set up a secure email so patients can email me directly.
I was the first urologist in our 9 person group to do this.
It can be time consuming, so I do not give it out to all of my patients. Anyone who is having major surgery gets my email when I schedule them so they can email me with questions before or after surgery.
Our office does have a way to contact the office securely with messages which go through the front desk first, just not directly to me. Messages to me can be sent in this way as well.
I think that is a great idea!
I think you could end up saving time or mis-communications by being able to review what they wrote and then hone in on the important concerns. Although, talking is faster, but then easier to get off track or forget what was said.
Your friend (he mentions it in his blog) Dr. Greenstein has a list of questions that are important to ask about newly diagnosed prostate cancer.
I think that is an excellent idea! Cut to the chase - get to the important stuff. Speaking as a patient-these things can be overwhelming sometimes. So, it is helpful to have a doctor present the most important concerns and then for the patient to be more focused on what's important, thus being better able to ask key questions.
Dr. Schwab "surgeonsblog" said he used brochures for specific surgeries that he gave to the patients and then they would discuss them.
My urologist's group has a good phone system and they are excellent about returning all calls, no matter when it is.
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