Fax/modem board communications decrease preceptor communication costs
Cole, D.R.; Johnson, M.S.; Heaton, C.J.; Petti, M.
Family Medicine 26(7): 418-420
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0742-3225 PMID: 7926355 Document Number: 428296
Mail and the telephone are common communication links between departments of family medicine and their community-based preceptors. The availability of low-cost fax/modem boards offers the potential for new communication methods. This study compares the cost of personal computer-based fax/modem board communications with traditional mail and telephone linkages. The department's community preceptor faculty served as the study population. Sixty-eight physicians (54%) had fax machines; these physicians received faxes instead of mailed communications. The remaining 59 physicians (46%) received mailed communications. All preceptors received standard telephone calls. Costs for telephone, mail, and fax/modem board communications were tracked over a 4-month period. Faxes were significantly less expensive and more efficient than either telephone or mail communications. Telephone communications were the most expensive. The study suggests that fax/modem boards offer a communication linkage with preceptors that is more economical than either mail or telephone.