Communication in plastic surgery by means of e-mail: experiences and recommendations for clinical use

The Internet is a global network of computers with a broad variety of services and options. Electronic mail (email) is the most frequently used service. For a plastic surgeon, this mode is the fastest and the most cost-effective way of transferring data of any kind. The critical aim of this study was to assess the transfer of confidential data by means of e-mail and to present general conditions for the use of e-mail. Therefore, experiences with this means of communication are described to point to the possibilities, but also to indicate problems and weak points of this medium. Some rules should be obeyed for the transfer of confidential patient data by means of e-mail to satisfy the demand for data-security standards. Also, medicolegal aspects must be considered. These recommendations or rules and aspects will be discussed to offer a guideline to plastic surgeons for their e-mail applications.