Table 2 Frequency of use, topics, advantages and disadvantages of email, cell phone and text message communication reported by participants
Email (n = 266) | Cell phone number (n = 226) | Text message (N = 226) | |
|---|---|---|---|
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
Giving access to: | |||
1–25 % | 163 (61) | 163 (72.1) | Giving access to cell phone number includes text messages. |
25–50 % | 21 (7.9) | 15 (6.6) | |
50–75 % | 3 (1.1) | 7 (3.1) | |
> 75 % | 7 (2.6) | 41 (18.1) | |
All (appointment e-mail address indicated on the appointment card) | 72 (27.0) | NA | |
Use initiated by: | |||
Physician | 60 (22.8) | 155 (69.2) | 79 (47.6) |
Patient | 101 (38.4) | 22 (9.8) | 35 (21.1) |
Both | 103 (38.8) | 47 (21.0) | 52 (31.3) |
Topics: | |||
Change of appointment | 192 (71.9) | 55 (24.3) | 60 (26.5) |
Test results | 71 (26.6) | 138 (61.1) | 77 (34.1) |
Follow-up of patient’s health | 132 (49.4) | 187 (82.7) | 107 (47.3) |
Patients’ questions | 219 (82.0) | 124 (54.9) | 88 (38.9) |
Othera | 39 (14.7 %) | 25 (11.1) | 14 (6.2) |
Advantages: | |||
Time saving | 119 (44.6) | 94 (41.6) | 94 (41.6) |
Less consultations | 104 (39.0) | 105 (46.5) | 50 (22.1) |
Improved follow-up | 95 (35.6) | 148 (65.5) | 81 (35.8) |
Improved relationship | 129 (48.3) | 142 (62.8) | 85 (37.6) |
Otherb | 41 (15.4 %) | 25 (11.1) | 22 (9.7) |
Disadvantages: | |||
Misuse | 86 (32.2) | 89 (39.4) | 56 (24.8) |
Encroachment on private life | 85 (31.8) | 131 (58.0) | 90 (39.8) |
Misunderstanding | 44 (16.5) | 27 (11.9) | 35 (15.5) |
Waste of time | 61 (22.8) | 27 (11.9) | 23 (10.2) |
No billing | 81 (30.3) | 54 (23.9) | 45 (19.9) |
Otherc | 35 (13.2 %) | 21 (9.3) | 15 (6.6) |