Expanding the Guidelines for Electronic Communication with Patients
Application to a Specific Tool
- Affiliations of the authors: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (SLP, DN, JEL, DBH); Harvard Medical School, Boston (JEL, DBH)
- Correspondence: Stephanie Prady, VBK 915, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114; e-mail: 〈Prady{at}Helix.mgh.harvard.edu〉. Reprints: Daniel B. Hoch, MD, PhD, VBK 830, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Received 20 November 2000
- Accepted 28 February 2001
Abstract
In 1998, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) published a white paper entitled “Guidelines for the Clinical Use of Electronic Mail with Patients,” which outlined a practical framework for this interaction. Interest in the use of other Internet-based tools, such as the World Wide Web, to enhance clinical communication is increasing. In such systems, static information can be made centrally available to patients and interactive tools such as messaging systems, schedules, and individualized care regimens can be integrated within the site. Sitespecific guidelines are needed to address potential problems inherent in the particular services being offered. This article presents advice on developing site-specific guidelines, with examples, based on experience gained in developing and refining guidelines for the use of PatientWeb at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurology.
