Email Communication benefit
Internet usage is common in modern society given its effectiveness in passing information from one party to the other. In the UK alone, it is approximated that nearly fifteen million people have access to the internet, which is over sixty-one percent of the population. The internet is employed effectively to search for information related to health. The government has responded to this demand by creating a website specializing in availing data on various diseases and general health. Because of this, the use of email as a means of communication is on the increase and many healthcare providers have realized that it can perhaps be utilized in passing critical information to the patients. Even though the use of email has several benefits, it has several disadvantages that might end up affecting the entire sector. One of the main benefits of this means of communication is the convenience that it offers to patients. The healthcare provider does not have a fixed time of sending and receiving an email implying that the patient can inform his or her healthcare provider of any issue at any time of the day. In modern society, people have limited time and some might lack the time to interact with doctors and other healthcare consultants, but the availability of the internet helps them to make extra special discussions after official working hours.
Values-confidentiality
When using email as a communication means, patient confidentiality is always the main challenge that any service provider in the healthcare system will face. Each nurse has to protect the confidentiality of the patient by keeping off from any aspect of unfortunate disclosure of information. Based on this, the information that the patient sends through email should only be accessed by those directly involved in their care or those charged with the mandate of running the service. The emails have to be protected in the same way written records are taken care of meaning that the organization has to acquire the computer software that would be used in providing satisfactory security. Again, the system software acquired should be secure to prevent breaches of confidentiality whenever a client sends an email (Bennett, Bennett, & Griffiths, 2010). The Data Protection Act of 1998 should serve as a guideline to all service providers in the healthcare sector and this will help in storing emails and utilizing the data provided safely.
Why it’s effective
Email communication is an efficient mode of passing information from consumers to providers because those living in urban areas, as well as rural dwellers, can use it. Some clients, especially those with physical challenges, often encounter problems in reporting their health conditions, but the use of email has the potential of resolving this problem, as the consumer is simply expected to type a message and send it directly to the healthcare expert. This implies that the communication mode increases access to healthcare for all groups. Face-to-face communication poses a challenge to many clients since they might forget the instructions once they leave the health center, but email communication is considered effective since patients have the chance of going through the text repeatedly. When a patient visits a healthcare institution, chances are high that his or her needs might not be met because of insufficient time, limited communication skills among healthcare professionals, and difficulty in remembering all the things that were said (Andrews, & Titov, 2010). Equally, the client might not absorb enough information if a phone call is made because of human incapacity to store large chunks of information at a go. If a patient is being informed of bad news that is stressful, such as a complex diagnosis, he or she might not concentrate on what is being said. The use of email allows a patient to go through the text in his or her free time, which allows a deeper understanding.
How it differs
Email communication differs in several ways from other forms of communication, such as written and oral in the sense that it allows clients to reply the messages at any time of the day, including at night hours. Unlike, written information, any data received through email is often taken through a rigorous process of review where senior members are required to give their views before any response is given. Both written and oral communications demand that a client indicates his or her name before receiving any form of response, but a patient has an opportunity of sending the message without his or her real name, especially if the information being sought is controversial or sensitive. Many people are known to have personal issues that they might not want to discuss in public. The email allows service providers and other professionals to solicit the type of information that a client would be reluctant to share in a letter or face-to-face communication. If a patient has a problem related to erectile dysfunction, there is no possibility of such a client giving this information to the doctor. A study conducted on Breast Cancer Care revealed that women are more willing to talk about their conditions when given a chance to send emails to a doctor.
Effects of social networking
The media and social networking have the possibility of transforming the healthcare sector because it facilitates the shifting of communication from the private domain to the public where people are allowed to engage in open forums. In this case, the organization spends less money on mails and the development of websites. Before the advent of social media, the organization had to spend many resources in advertising the company’s products and services, but the case is different. Since information is accessible online, consumers are taking an active role as regards their health. Furthermore, patients are demanding transparency from healthcare officials because the information is available online. Finally, the new system of passing information improves communication since the important aspect of communication, which is feedback, is enhanced.
Usage in marketing
Social media is an effective method of marketing healthcare products, but email does not offer any chance of popularizing the product. The use of Tweet Live Procedures is just one of the techniques through which healthcare products can be popularized in the market. Studies indicate that this marketing tactic can generate excitement, as well as raise public awareness for many organizations globally (Ball, & Lillis, 2001). The use of Facebook has proven effective in circulating information during times of crisis. Healthcare organizations find themselves in tricky situations whenever a disaster, including terrorist attack and floods, occur. Social media networks might be given the role of offering real-time updates to save those affected. Foot Hood shooting attack incident serves as an example since several healthcare organizations were able to link up through social networks.
References
Andrews, G., & Titov, N. (2010). Treating people, you never see: internet-based treatment of the internalizing mental disorders. Australian Health Review, 34(2), 144-147.
Ball, M.J., & Lillis, J. (2001). E-health: transforming the physician/patient relationship. International Journal of Medical Information, 61(1), 1-10.
Bennett, K., Bennett, A.J., & Griffiths, K.M. (2010). Security Considerations for E-Mental Health Interventions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 12(5), 61-100.