1. The effects of electronic mail on communication in two health sciences institutions
- Author
-
Robin R. Sandefur, Charles C. Emery, John Baxter, and Thomas Singarella
- Subjects
Value (ethics) ,Health Personnel ,Interprofessional Relations ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Medicine (miscellaneous) ,Health Informatics ,computer.software_genre ,Health informatics ,Electronic mail ,Health Information Management ,Phone ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Perception ,Humans ,Medicine ,Office Automation ,Confidentiality ,media_common ,Academic Medical Centers ,Multimedia ,business.industry ,Communication ,Consumer Behavior ,Formality ,Public relations ,Tennessee ,Texas ,Telephone ,Attitude ,Computer Literacy ,business ,computer ,Software ,Information Systems ,Biomedical sciences - Abstract
A study was done during 1991-1992 to determine the perceived impact of electronic mail (E-mail) relative to other forms of communication in health sciences institutions. E-mail subscribers at two major health sciences institutions were sent 2919 surveys, and 823 (28%) completed survey instruments were returned. A significant positive impact of E-mail was found relative to other forms of communication (e.g., paper, phone) with regard to E-mail messaging, response rates, influence, value, formality, perceptions, errors in communication, cost-effectiveness, communication style, and other factors. Areas where no differences were found between communication mechanisms were also revealing. Technical problems, maintenance, and confidentiality of E-mail messaging were not found to be significant problems. Trends, value, and impact of E-mail use in health sciences institutions are also discussed.
- Published
- 1993