Research Article

Online Medicine for Pregnant Women

Table 4

A comparison of attitudes towards receiving the family physician’s cell phone number or email address.

VariableCell phone numberEmail address

How do you feel about getting your physician’s cell phone number or email address? N (%)
 Very interested114 (95.0)106 (88.3)0.035
 Would not object5 (4.2)5 (4.2)
 Not interested1 (0.8)9 (7.5)
Do you agree with the following statements regarding getting your physician’s cell phone number or email address? (scale of 1 to 5)
It could improve the relationship between us:
 Mean ± SD4.57 ± 0.71 4.58 ± 0.710.913
 Range2–52–5
It could improve my sense of security even if I do not use it:
 Mean ± SD4.58 ± 0.71 4.58 ± 0.710.913
 Range2–52–5
Calls and email are effective means of communication that could solve my problems:
 Agree4.37 ± 0.714.34 ± 0.720.745
 Do not agree2–52–5
Calls and email can cut down on the number of clinic visits:
 Mean ± SD4.33 ± 0.734.34 ± 0.720.915
 Range2–52–5
Calls and email can reduce the number of emergency room visits:
 Mean ± SD4.33 ± 0.744.32 ± 0.750.917
 Range2–52–5
At what times would you call or email the physician? N (%)
 I do not intend to call or send an email2 (2)9 (8)<0.0001
 Only at appointed hours49 (41)7 (6)
 Only during daytime hours (except Saturdays and holidays)54 (45)50 (42)
 At all hours including nights, Saturdays, and holidays15 (13)54 (45)
Under which circumstance would you call or email your physician? N (%)
 I do not intend to call or contact by email1 (1)9 (8)<0.0001
 Only in unusual circumstances73 (61)38 (32)
 For any question46 (38)73 (61)
The physician should not be called or sent an email because it could interfere with their privacy when they are not working (scale of 1 to 5):
 Mean ± SD4.03 ± 0.983.41 ± 1.360.0001
 Range1–51–5
The physician should not be called or sent an email because medical errors can occur if a physical examination is not performed (scale of 1 to 5):
 Mean ± SD3.73 ± 1.033.81 ± 0.960.876
 Range1–52–5
The physician should not be called or sent an email because there is a risk of miscommunication (scale of to 5).
 Mean ± SD3.98 ± 0.973.20 ± 1.47<0.0001
 Range1–51–5
The physician should not be called or sent an email because it can interfere with their clinic work (scale of 1 to 5):
 Mean ± SD3.20 ± 1.463.20 ± 1.471.000
 Range1–51–5
The family physician cannot help because I am pregnant: (scale of 1 to 5)
 Mean ± SD1.98 ± 0.682.06 ± 0.740.384
 Range1–41–5
I see no reason why I should not get the physician’s personal cell phone number or email address (scale of 1 to 5):
 Mean ± SD3.73 ± 1.054.39 ± 0.93<0.0001
 Range1–51–5
Have you asked for your physician’s cell phone number or email address in the past? N (%)
 Yes29 (24)20 (17)0.149
Do you have your physician’s cell phone number or email address? N (%)
 Yes50 (42)46 (38)0.598
Have you contacted your physician by cell phone or email since you became pregnant? N (%)
 Yes26 (22)23 (19)0.631