COMMUNICATION IN HEALTH-CARE

For routine communication, care providers still mainly rely on paper d ocuments and paper mail. Evidence exists, however, that this communica tion can be improved, both by a better content of information exchange and by a more timely deliverance of this information. At present, sev eral alternatives to paper-based communication are available, such as the Fax, the Smart Card, electronic mail, and electronic data intercha nge. This paper describes existing communication problems, and examine s the current state of development and research aimed at improving thi s communication using electronic communication techniques that are gra dually replacing paper-based communication. Applicability and shortcom ings of these new techniques are also discussed.