E- Mail Communication Applications in Patient Physician Communication: A Systematized Review

Abstract

Introduction: Email is a beneficial way in order to increase interaction between patients and physicians. Since using this technology, patients and different physicians are able to increase patients’ health level and the amount of physicians’ duties. This study was done to identify the applications of email in communications between patients and physicians.Materials and Methods: The current study is a systematized review conducted in 2019. The literature search done by the relevant keywords to the subject in databases:  Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Cochran. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria 34 articles were included. Based on the study’s aim, results were summarized and reported by Content Analysis Technique.Results: The results showed that 15 articles (44%) using email technology to investigate laboratory’s resources. Utilizing email in 9 articles (26%) showed that it caused an improvement in healthcare quality.  Conclusion: Results showed that use of email’s capabilities has a key role in improving healthcare quality as well as time saving. So, we suggest that the authorities deploy certain and codified mechanism in order to utilizing email communication between patients and physicians.