Electronic Mail An Imperative for Healthcare Epidemiologists

Abstract

Electronic mail (e-mail) offers the potential for near-instantaneous transfer of messages and files across thousands of miles. The same message can be sent simultaneously to multiple recipients and for warded without retyping. Messages can be sent or read at any time, eliminating “telephone tag,” and, because the system is paperless, lost, blurred, and incomplete, facsimile transmissions can be minimized. Additionally, e-mail is less expensive than overnight letter ser vices or long-distance faxes. All healthcare epidemiologists should enter the information superhighway using e-mail. This article provides basic information needed to understand and begin using e-mail.