Email helps improve health of patients with diabetes and hypertension

A recent study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension who emailed their doctors had higher quality of care scores than those who do not use such technology.

The study specifically focused on 35,423 patients with diabetes or hypertension in Kaiser's Southern California region. Those that used Kaiser's electronic health records system--dubbed My Health Manager--had better cholesterol and blood pressure levels after two months than those who did not.

The study provides new evidence that making secure email available to patients can improve their clinical outcomes. Unfortunately, a Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll determined that less than 10 percent of American adults even use electronic health records or exchange emails with their doctors,