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Telephone medicine for internists

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Abstract

The role of the telephone in medical practice is important, but often problematic. Mistakes in telephone diagnosis and triage can have severe consequences. An effective office system can reduce liability risks, and in some cases telephone contact can substitute for office visits. Internists feel unprepared to provide telephone care. Therefore, residency education needs to focus on documentation, consultant availability, and performance feedback. Research should focus on improving outcomes, reimbursement issues, and technologic advances. This article describes internists’ telephone interactions with ambulatory patients, preparation for telephone medicine, and aspects of office telephone systems and makes comparisons with other primary care fields.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, 26505, Morgantown, WV

    D. Michael Elnicki MD

  2. Texas A&M University, Temple, Tex

    Paul Ogden MD

  3. University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla

    Michael Flannery MD

  4. Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center, Dearborn, Mich

    Mark Hannis MD

  5. Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC

    Sam Cykert MD

Authors
  1. D. Michael Elnicki MD
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  2. Paul Ogden MD
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  3. Michael Flannery MD
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  4. Mark Hannis MD
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  5. Sam Cykert MD
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the TELI Group

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Correspondence to D. Michael Elnicki MD.

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Elnicki, D.M., Ogden, P., Flannery, M. et al. Telephone medicine for internists. J GEN INTERN MED 15, 337–343 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.06459.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.06459.x

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