Why Is It...

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I can.

clearlyhere on July 18, 2011 at 9:26 AM

I submitted a form online last week to try to get an appointment with a doctor. I still haven't heard back from them. I kinda wish at this point that they'd had the option to call in and talk to somebody in real time.

MacCrocodile on July 18, 2011 at 9:30 AM

My doc's office let's me schedule my own appointments online... Maybe your doc just isn't up with the new tech.

Queerly Yours on July 18, 2011 at 9:34 AM

Because you have the wrong doctor. I once sent an email to my doctor asking about a sore throat (complete with picture attachment), and he had a colleague prescribe me antibiotics because he was out of town on vacation.

Its super nice to have that option to email him when I have quick medical questions rather than booking an appointment... you just have to be sure not to abuse the privilege, which I don't.

UNPAID COMMENTER on July 18, 2011 at 9:37 AM

The doctors are really skiddish about privacy violations, so they're not willing to do this unless they have a secure system set up. I think a lot of doctor's offices aren't in a hurry to make that happen. I think primary care docs are more likely to do it than specialists, who often require referrals and paperwork before they'll even set up an appointment.

Gidge on July 18, 2011 at 9:38 AM

I suspect HIPAA contributes to the matter:

http://mobile.wikipedia.org/transcode.ph…

NotSean on July 18, 2011 at 9:39 AM

As has been stated above, because you don't have the right doctor -- or don't have a doctor in the right health insurance network. (I'm currently completing a project in which this is one of the goals -- finding a doctor covered by an insurance company, and after you've located them, set up an appointment.)

This is one of the many side-benefits of the changes derisively known as ObamaCare -- because many systems need to be updated to have medical records kept in a universal format, companies are using this time to also do other things to improve customer service -- especially because customer service will need to be better when people are actually able to start choosing their provider.

LogopolisMike on July 18, 2011 at 9:39 AM

I think medical people avoid e-mail because of the certain flood of "busy" people writing "Doc, I have a pain behind that bumpy bone that you can feel just under your skin," and the ethico-legal requirement to respond.

rob! on July 18, 2011 at 9:40 AM

Dr. Roberts, DDS is a dentist that does email appointment scheduling. Friendly folks, too.

stealingzen on July 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM

I can and do. Group Health rocks.

ohthetrees on July 18, 2011 at 9:50 AM

I see a specialist in Seattle and if I have a problem or question, I have to explain it to the receptionist who then sends it on to the doctor via email. It would be so much easier if I could do this myself.

AKTheresa on July 18, 2011 at 9:57 AM

Granted, I am old. So old that I've never thought to ask my doctor about emails. But what's the matter with picking up the phone and speaking with the receptionist?

Catalina Vel-DuRay on July 18, 2011 at 9:57 AM

You can at the UW Clinics.

ddmama on July 18, 2011 at 10:05 AM

I also can send messages directly to my doctor, request Rx refills, and make/cancel appointments online.

It's really great to be able to send him a question about something non urgent and get his medical advice, and I typically get a response with in a hour or two. I love my doc. I don't have children, but I imagine that if I did this would be incredibly helpful.

GlamB0t on July 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM

More depressingly, why can't you pay your bill online yet? You defnintely can't at UW Medical Centers. I asked a manager about this after a huge billing snafu, and they said their project schedule has them rolling out online bill payment in 2018. Not a typo. TWENTY EIGHTEEN. My head just about exploded when I heard that.

hillbrad on July 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Um, you totally can: http://www.zocdoc.com/

samktg on July 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Group Health has had electronic access to scheduling, among many things, for its patients for the last several years. HIPAA compliant electronic medical records are a daunting prospect for solo providers and small group practices in part because there is a whole industry based on HIPAA fear mongering that targets them and proposes expensive solutions.

restlessnative on July 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM

@15, I pay online at Virginia Mason - very convenient. And my doc's staff are amazingly good at helping me figure out how badly I need an appointment. If it was some sort of email exchange with them I'm sure I could devolve it to a flame war in no time.

gloomy gus on July 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM

I can do both. I guess The Stranger must offer shitty health insurance.

Just Jeff on July 18, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Places that have experience in this demonstrate pretty conclusively that patients use email wisely, and smart medical practices have found ways to solve HIPPAA problems, and to make sure that the right level of medical provider answers any particular email. Demand better. Find a provider who plays on-line.

Reader/Poster on July 18, 2011 at 10:56 AM

You can with Group Health! They just released an iPhone app for members to make appointments and even check lab results and see wait times at the pharmacies. It's pretty great!

teenburger on July 18, 2011 at 11:06 AM

a doc office recently wanted me to submit documentation of test results prior to coming in for a consultation. i said, easy! i have a pdf i can email to you right here...
...sorry, the receptionist said, we can't receive email from patients. please print it out and send it to us snail mail. or hand deliver it to us.

!@$#@Q#@!!!!11111111

onion on July 18, 2011 at 11:28 AM

@22, send a crooked blurry fax. That'll fix 'em. Doctors' offices are one of the last refuges of the endangered fax machine.

rob! on July 18, 2011 at 11:45 AM

What @10 said.

Will in Seattle on July 18, 2011 at 11:54 AM

@12,

Being put on hold for 20 minutes might have something to do with it.

keshmeshi on July 18, 2011 at 12:02 PM

Doctors don't want you scheduling your own appointments because they want you to come in for the minimum amount of time that's humanly possible, and receptionists are the best way to get you scheduled according to what is most convenient for your doctor and insurance company.

Insurance companies kick and scream whenever they see a non-annual office visit that lasted more than 15 minutes.

keshmeshi on July 18, 2011 at 12:08 PM

My dentist books stuff through Outlook and sends reminders direct to my calendar.

chimsquared on July 18, 2011 at 12:54 PM

All the Gentle Dental dentists in Seattle now have online appointment booking. They also send you a text message (if you want) as a reminder instead of calling you. Worked great last time I tried it. I like the one in Ballard.

Meg on July 18, 2011 at 1:23 PM

Down here in the Bay Area, you've been able to book doctor appointments with Kaiser for years now. And check your lab results, email your doctor, etc etc. What's wrong with you Seattelites? :-)

SecretBYUBottomBoy on July 18, 2011 at 5:40 PM

I'm a naturopathic family doctor and my practice provides a secure web-based electronic health record, including messaging and lab results, plus online appointment scheduling through Google Appointments. And house calls! It's the future, might as well be convenient. http://www.treehousefamilymedicine.com/

epunch on July 20, 2011 at 10:17 AM

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