Provider-patient e-mail could transform medicine.

Experts say 5% to 10% of physicians are communicating with their patients by e-mail. E-mail can help physicians use their time more effectively, give them the ability to follow-up with patients more easily, improve relationships with existing patients, and help attract new ones. E-mail is an easy way to handle administrative tasks such as setting appointments and refilling prescriptions. It also provides written documentation of conversations that can be placed in the patient's paper chart.