Aim: To identify the factors associated with attitudes towards the use of e-mail as a means of communication between patients and physicians in family medicine in Slovenia. Method: In 2011 questionnaires with 46 identical questions (Cronbach α)0.7) were administered by systematic sampling of family physicians and their patients (response rate 84.6% and 92.1%, respectively). Linear regression block analysis was used for jointed database (n=810; 63.3% of participants) to investigate the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable, with P-value (0.05 as the limit of statistical significance. Results: In the sample, there were 232 (28.6%) physicians and 578 (71.4%), aged 39.7±11.7 years. Both were equally likely to use e-mail as a means of communication; their attitudes were associated with time saving (β=0.27, p(0,001), faster transmission of messages (β=0.14, p=0.004), proof of receipt (β=0.12, p=0.002), the use of e-mail for personal purposes (β=0.07, p=0.043), with single or widowed marital status (β=- 0.08, p=0.020) and possible misunderstandings (β=- 0.09; p=0.010), explaining 38.1% of the variance in the modelling process. Conclusion: The characteristics of e-mail communication and regular use of e-mail were associated with attitudes towards e-mail as a means of mutual communication in family physicians and patients.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30294489
Introduction: The emergence and use of new information technologies have been changing communication in family medicine. The attitudes of family physicians (GPs) towards the use e-mail in communication with patients are presented. Methods: In May 2011 every third one of 935 registered GPs was invited to voluntarily and anonymously participate in the study. By the end of June 2011, 264 of 312 submitted questionnaires had been returned (84.6% response rate). The questionnaire consisted of 56 questions with appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach α) 0.7). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0. Linear regression block analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. For each independent variable the beta coefficient, t-value and p-value were calculated. A P-value (0.05 was the limit of statistical significance. Results: There were 194 (73.5%) female and 69 (26.1%) male participants, aged 44.2±10.2 years, employed in public (190 (72.2%)) or private health care institutions (17 (6.5%)), or working as concessionaires (56 (21.3%), with an average length of service in family medicine of16.1± 11.1 years. Only 12 (4.5%) physicians rejected the consultation and management of patients by the use of e-mail. Acceptance of e-mail as a means of communication with patients was associated with regular internet use for education in physicians (β=0.15, p=0.048), with the benefits of faster transmission of messages (β=0.25, p=0.005), time saving (β=0.19, p=0.025) and proof of receipt (β=0.19, p=0.032), explaining 51% of the variance in the modelling process. Discussion: Regular use of the internet for educational purposes and the characteristics of e-mail communication regarding the use of time and feedback on receipt were associated with acceptance of communication with patients via e-mail in family physicians.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29946329
Background: Mobile phone messaging, such as Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS), has rapidly grown into a mode of communication with a wide range of applications, including communicating the results from medical investigations to patients. Alternative modes of communication of results include face-to-face communication, postal messages, calls to landlines or mobile phones, through web-based health records and email. Possible advantages of mobile phone messaging include convenience to both patients and healthcare providers, reduced waiting times for health services and healthcare costs. Objectives: To assess the effects of mobile phone messaging for communicating results of medical investigations, on people's healthcare-seeking behaviour and health outcomes. Secondary objectives include assessment of participants' evaluation of the intervention,direct and indirect healthcare costs and possible risks and harmsassociated with the intervention. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 2), MEDLINE (OvidSP) (January 1993 to June 2009), EMBASE (OvidSP) (January 1993 to June 2009), PsycINFO (OvidSP) (January 1993 to June 2009), CINAHL (EbscoHOST) (January 1993 to June 2009), LILACS (January 1993 to June 2009) and African Health Anthology (January 1993 to June 2009). We also reviewed grey literature (including trial registers) and reference lists of articles. Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs),quasi-randomised controlled trials (QRCTs), controlled before-after (CBA) studies, or interrupted time series (ITS) studies with at least three time points before and after the interventions. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
COBISS.SI-ID: 30291161