Abstract

Several studies suggest that patients want the ability to communicate electronically with their physicians and that electronic communication can facilitate patient-centered care. However, to date, despite patient demand and a myriad of possible benefits, most physicians have resisted providing this option. This work is a preliminary investigation into the effects of electronic physician-to-patient communication on the quality of patient care. The study uses secondary data from an online physician-rating site to compare the quality ratings of physicians, from every specialty, from the state of Illinois. Our results suggest that a doctor’s use of email increases patient perceptions of the quality of care they receive.

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