Does anyone else do this?

[eltrip]

Recently, our facility's website began offering the option to "talk to a nurse" via e-mail. We are receiving lots of questions. I find it quite interesting & challenging.

I was just wondering if anyone else is doing this in addition to their usual triage/call center duties.

Expanding my horizons...as usual!

[Audreyfay]

I recently was on a "Ask the Healthcare Professional" call in night on the local network. I answered a few phone calls, but the more interesting calls were the ones via e-mail. It was quite interesting the questions people asked. I actually thought it was better because it was easier to answer the question succinctly. There also was the opportunity to select which question I was most comfortable answering. (Actually, I answered the questions that the MDs wouldn't :) )

[eltrip]

Sounds about right. we seem to be providing basic information about conditions that the docs aren't providing in their offices. Go figure.

I think I'd like to do a radio show where folks could call & ask questions...I've thought of the local college station & providing a way to dispense information about the human body & how it works.

[Going80INA55]

What a fabulous idea!!! I would love to do something like that as well.

[Dave ARNP]

My pt's email me all the time about problems.

While they do come up with interesting names for things that I can't immediately ask, "Exactly what do you mean", I find that it is a wonderful way to respond.

Also, it gives them hard, printable advice.

David Adams, ARNP

-ACNP, FNP

[RBNURSENZ]

I moderate a message board for parents of children with a particular disease in my "spare time" i.e. this is mostly an unpaid position with some reimbursement for costs. It makes you realise how little we (as parents/patients) actually take in during a consultation (or maybe how little we are told). This is mainly basic sort of information - how a medication works, simple measures/tips, and ofcourse advising them to discuss this with a doctor asap. I am responsible to the health site the board is located on and the support network committee so have good back-up but the valuable stuff I think comes from my nursing background - the safety issues. My main concern with this is to not make a diagnosis (or anyone else to make one) online, or recommend treatment. Talking about the possiblities and options is ok, but we need to continually remind parents that if they are concerned they need to seek medical advice (I have this included in my sig.) But I do agree it is a good way to get pieces of information across as we can think before typing.

My paid work is in primary health care and does involve telephone triage. We are extremely busy so most days there is a rush for appts, and the "corresponding I need to talk to the nurse urgently calls". Trying to get across that the sickness benefit forms and medication they ran out of a month ago are not now medical emergencies that need to be dealt with today is a challenge. It is well worth being the nurse who also sees the patient in person after they have been triaged over the telephone and to follow through with the care needed.

[SnowyL]

We do a small amount of email health info, but we do not encourage it. There's not enough time in the day to do the tele triages & then respond to vast quantities of emails. I'm not sure it's such a good idea to do a lot of information via email b/c it makes for some fuzzy HIPPA lines.