Email consultations in health care
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—I agree with Wong (previous letter) in response to Car and Sheikh that the healthcare systems in the United States and the United Kingdom are very different.1 However, the needs of the patients are pretty much the same. The technology is available today, and it is inexpensive. The only way to measure its effectiveness is to pilot it.
The government's E-Gif initiative has been forgotten in the current national programme for information technology (NPFIT) initiative. All government departments, including the NHS, are required to offer their services both electronically and using traditional methods. "Give the patient a choice." Currently patients do not have a choice.
John Charnock, director
Marple Limited, Rainhill, Merseyside L35 4PL john@marple.co.uk
Competing interests: JC is partner of ZixCorp Corporation, which has implemented secure encrypted email in over 80% of the healthcare industry in the United States.
References
Car J, Sheikh A. Email consultations in health care: 2—acceptability and safe application. BMJ 2004;329: 439-42. (21 August.)
The government's E-Gif initiative has been forgotten in the current national programme for information technology (NPFIT) initiative. All government departments, including the NHS, are required to offer their services both electronically and using traditional methods. "Give the patient a choice." Currently patients do not have a choice.
John Charnock, director
Marple Limited, Rainhill, Merseyside L35 4PL john@marple.co.uk
Competing interests: JC is partner of ZixCorp Corporation, which has implemented secure encrypted email in over 80% of the healthcare industry in the United States.
References
Car J, Sheikh A. Email consultations in health care: 2—acceptability and safe application. BMJ 2004;329: 439-42. (21 August.)