E-mail communication with patients: a survey of the American College of Physicians, Missouri Chapter.

Numerous surveys have found patients expressing strong interest in e-mail communication with their physicians. However, currently very limited literature is available on physician interest. A survey was e-mailed to the members of the Missouri Chapter of the American College of Physicians to ascertain their specific concerns. Very few physicians use electronic mail with patients. Even fewer use it on a frequent basis and most do not give any written policy guidelines to patients.