Many physicians are reluctant to use e-mail to contact patients, because of legal liability, perceived and actual administrative hassles, lack of opportunities to bill for e-mailing, and confidentiality concerns. Developing a sound and workable e-mail usage policy is good risk management and provides a framework for conducting electronic communication. Elizabeth Brody Gluck's article on "Physician Use of E-mail" explores the guidlines for setting up such a policy.
This article appeared in Practice Management Review magazine