Electronic communication in primary healthcare

Abstract

Traditional communication between physicians and patients consists of verbal and non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication can emphasize, modify, or supplement a message that is verbally conveyed and reduce the possibility of misunderstanding. Web applications offer the ability to communicate with physicians and patients outside the healthcare facility. E-mail communication of the selected physician and patient is defined as electronic communication of doctors and patients in a contractual relationship in which the health information provider bears responsibility for the patient's health as his or her chosen physician. A literature review was conducted based on European and American studies reports to determine whether the use of electronic communication in family medicine could contribute to improving the quality of health care. The search for PUBMED, BMJ, JMIR and OVID was performed using the terms: electronic communication, family medicine, email, physician, patient. The most important benefits of electronic communication in family medicine are the simplicity and increased efficiency of communication, the expansion of resources and the ability to communicate, saving time and the ability to print electronic messages. The disadvantages lie in the potential compromise of confidentiality, the lack of monetary compensation and overload of the doctors, the potential for miscommunication, diagnostic error and unrealistic user expectations. Information technology must not replace traditional physician-patient communication. Although the results of the available studies have not provided strong enough evidence to broaden the introduction of electronic communications into everyday practice, adhering to the guidelines of good clinical practice, email and other forms of internet communication could contribute to improving the quality of primary care.