Reaching Doctors

Story Published: Apr 23, 2008 at 10:21 AM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2008 at 10:21 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES - A lot of us feel fortunate if we're able to
reach our doctors by phone. Then, there are some patients who are
able to communicate with their doctors through e-mail. But a new
survey indicates that relatively few doctors are embracing the
concept of letting a quick e-mail to a patient replace hours or
days of phone tag or an office visit. This, despite the fact that
many Americans would like the convenience of using e-mail for
non-urgent medical issues like making appointments, getting lab
results and submitting requests for prescription refills and the
like. An official with the Pew Internet & American Life Project
says while people are able to file their taxes, shop and manage
their money online, the medical community seems to lag when it
comes to the use of the Internet to deal with health matters.

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