Secure Messaging

Abstract

Abstract Both patients and healthcare professionals rely on technology to communicate with one another more than ever. Secure messaging, the asynchronous messaging function with electronic health records and patient portals, facilitates such communication. The use of secure messaging has dramatically increased because it improves patient satisfaction, is convenient, extends the in‐person visit, and provides a safe environment to discuss sensitive issues. However, clinicians are still reluctant to embrace the technology because they are not reimbursed for the time it takes to respond to patients' questions, and because they fear it will cause their workload to escalate. Patients are unsure about which types of messages are appropriate for secure messaging and have expressed the need for guidance and instruction. Research on the use of secure messaging has mainly focused on the primary care setting and chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. When frequent communication between patients and clinicians is required, such as in diabetes and cancer, patients have preferred secure messaging to other forms of communication, like telephone calls. Patient‐centered communication in the application of secure messaging is important, as patients expect high levels of quality and authentic communication, just like they do during face‐to‐face interactions.