Email consultations in health care: 1--scope and effectiveness

Abstract

Electronic communication promises to revolutionise the delivery of health care. In the first of two articles considering the potential for email consultations, Car and Sheikh summarise the evidence about their use for preventive health care, health education, and managing non-urgent conditions

Figures

Fig 1

Trends in home access to the internet in UK households. Most people use the internet for email communication. (Data source: National Statistics Omnibus Survey 2003)

Fig 2

Use of internet and email among UK adults by income (households divided into tenths according to gross income). Use is concentrated in higher income groups. (Data source: National Statistics Omnibus Survey 2003)