Use and Attitudes towards Teleconsultation in Dentistry
Affiliation(s)
Sein?joki Central Hospital, Sein?joki, Finland . Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.
Sein?joki Central Hospital, Sein?joki, Finland . Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.
ABSTRACT
An electronic (web-based) questionnaire was devised to find out the extent of teleconsultation and e-mail use for patient-provided communications in dentistry. This project was carried out in 2011 inthe health care district of South-Ostrobothnia, in South-Western Finland.The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all 120 regional dentists, to which 76 replies were obtained (response rate 63%). The responses indicated a surprisingly positive attitude towards teleconsultation. A clear majority of 91% indicated that it could bring additional benefits to the current consultation methods.This study revealed that a slight majority of dentists in the region use e-mail for patient communication and 53% used e-mail for consultation. Approximately 10% use videoconferencing for consultation.The study also revealed that the majority of those who do not yet use electronic consultation are willing to try them out in the future. Security issues are a concern for many dentists. Practically all respondents wish for written instructions on the use of electronic consultation.
An electronic (web-based) questionnaire was devised to find out the extent of teleconsultation and e-mail use for patient-provided communications in dentistry. This project was carried out in 2011 inthe health care district of South-Ostrobothnia, in South-Western Finland.The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all 120 regional dentists, to which 76 replies were obtained (response rate 63%). The responses indicated a surprisingly positive attitude towards teleconsultation. A clear majority of 91% indicated that it could bring additional benefits to the current consultation methods.This study revealed that a slight majority of dentists in the region use e-mail for patient communication and 53% used e-mail for consultation. Approximately 10% use videoconferencing for consultation.The study also revealed that the majority of those who do not yet use electronic consultation are willing to try them out in the future. Security issues are a concern for many dentists. Practically all respondents wish for written instructions on the use of electronic consultation.
KEYWORDS
Teledentistry; Teleconsultation; E-Mail; Patient-Provider Communication; Computer-Assisted Dentistry
Teledentistry; Teleconsultation; E-Mail; Patient-Provider Communication; Computer-Assisted Dentistry
Cite this paper
E. Ignatius and K. Mäkelä, "Use and Attitudes towards Teleconsultation in Dentistry," E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013, pp. 9-12. doi: 10.4236/etsn.2013.21002.
E. Ignatius and K. Mäkelä, "Use and Attitudes towards Teleconsultation in Dentistry," E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013, pp. 9-12. doi: 10.4236/etsn.2013.21002.
References
[1] D. B. Fridsma, et al., “A Survey of Patient Access to Electronic Mail: Attitudes, Barriers and Opportunities,” Proceedings of Annual Symposium on Computer Application in Medical Care, 1994, pp. 15-19. [2] R. A. Neill, et al., “The Utility of Electronic Mail as a Medium for Patient-Physician Communication,” Archives of Family Medicine, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1994, pp. 268-271. doi:10.1001/archfami.3.3.268 [3] E. Ignatius, K. Makela and S. Perala, “Computer Assisted Consultation in Dental Practice,” Finnish Dental Journal, Vol. 16, 2003, pp. 864-868. [4] C. Baur, “Limiting Factors on the Transformative Powers of E-Mail in Patient-Physician Relationships: A Critical Analysis,” Health Communication, Vol. 12, No. 3, 2000, pp. 239-259. doi:10.1207/S15327027HC1203_02 [5] R. G. Brooks and N. Menachemi, “Physician Use of E-Mail with Patients: Factors Influencing Electronic Communication and Adherence to Best Practices,” Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol. 8, 2006, p. e2. doi:10.2196/jmir.8.1.e2 [6] W. A. Christmas, et al., “Should College Health Providers Use E-Mail to Communicate with Their Patients? Two Points of View,” Journal of American College Health, Vol. 49, No. 1, 2000, pp. 39-43. doi:10.1080/07448480009596281 [7] T. Delbanco and D. Z. Sands, “Electrons in Fight—E-Mail between Doctors and Patients,” New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 350, 2004, pp. 1705-1707. [8] K. Kiviaho, J. Winblad and J. Reponen, “Terveydenhuollon Toimintaprosesseja Ja Asiointia Tukevat Atk- Sovellukset Suomessa. Sosiaali-Ja terveysalan Osaavien Keskusten Verkoston Julkaisuja,” Stakesin monistamo, Helsinki, 2004. [9] E. Ignatius, S. Perala and K. Makela, “Use of Videoconferencing for Consultation in Dental Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation,” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, Vol. 16, No. 8, 2010, pp. 467-470. doi:10.1258/jtt.2010.100303
[1] D. B. Fridsma, et al., “A Survey of Patient Access to Electronic Mail: Attitudes, Barriers and Opportunities,” Proceedings of Annual Symposium on Computer Application in Medical Care, 1994, pp. 15-19. [2] R. A. Neill, et al., “The Utility of Electronic Mail as a Medium for Patient-Physician Communication,” Archives of Family Medicine, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1994, pp. 268-271. doi:10.1001/archfami.3.3.268 [3] E. Ignatius, K. Makela and S. Perala, “Computer Assisted Consultation in Dental Practice,” Finnish Dental Journal, Vol. 16, 2003, pp. 864-868. [4] C. Baur, “Limiting Factors on the Transformative Powers of E-Mail in Patient-Physician Relationships: A Critical Analysis,” Health Communication, Vol. 12, No. 3, 2000, pp. 239-259. doi:10.1207/S15327027HC1203_02 [5] R. G. Brooks and N. Menachemi, “Physician Use of E-Mail with Patients: Factors Influencing Electronic Communication and Adherence to Best Practices,” Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol. 8, 2006, p. e2. doi:10.2196/jmir.8.1.e2 [6] W. A. Christmas, et al., “Should College Health Providers Use E-Mail to Communicate with Their Patients? Two Points of View,” Journal of American College Health, Vol. 49, No. 1, 2000, pp. 39-43. doi:10.1080/07448480009596281 [7] T. Delbanco and D. Z. Sands, “Electrons in Fight—E-Mail between Doctors and Patients,” New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 350, 2004, pp. 1705-1707. [8] K. Kiviaho, J. Winblad and J. Reponen, “Terveydenhuollon Toimintaprosesseja Ja Asiointia Tukevat Atk- Sovellukset Suomessa. Sosiaali-Ja terveysalan Osaavien Keskusten Verkoston Julkaisuja,” Stakesin monistamo, Helsinki, 2004. [9] E. Ignatius, S. Perala and K. Makela, “Use of Videoconferencing for Consultation in Dental Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation,” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, Vol. 16, No. 8, 2010, pp. 467-470. doi:10.1258/jtt.2010.100303