Secure Messaging and EHR Messaging
Secure messaging within electronic health record platforms is the most commonly used means of communication among physicians for care coordination. Studies show that more than 80% of physicians use EHR-integrated messaging daily to share patient updates, lab results, and handoff notes. This shift has accelerated as hospitals and large systems standardize tools like Epic Secure Chat and Cerner PowerChart Touch, which provide encrypted, audit-ready channels. For details on how these platforms fit into broader digital health infrastructure, see the overview at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/01/03/the-rise-of-secure-messaging-in-healthcare/. Forbes coverage of secure messaging trends in healthcare
EHR messaging reduces reliance on pagers and unencrypted SMS, addressing regulatory and privacy concerns. In large health systems, internal data often show that secure chat handles more than half of all physician-to-physician messages, while direct phone calls account for a smaller share. The trend is reinforced by value-based care models that require rapid, documented communication across teams.
Email, Pagers, and Direct Phone Calls
Email remains a widely used channel for non-urgent communication, especially with external specialists and administrative staff. However, email usage for sensitive clinical data is declining due to HIPAA compliance risks and the adoption of secure alternatives. Many organizations now enforce rules that prohibit sending protected health information over standard email, pushing physicians toward encrypted portals and EHR messaging.
Pagers are still present in hospitals, particularly for urgent alerts and nursing-to-physician communication, but their role is shrinking. Direct phone calls are used for complex cases or when quick clarification is needed, yet they are less common than secure messaging for routine coordination. A 2023 survey of U.S. physicians found that secure EHR messaging had surpassed pagers and direct calls as the primary internal communication method in most large practices.
Telehealth, Video, and Third-Party Platforms
Telehealth platforms and video visits have become a standard channel, especially for follow-ups and chronic disease management. During and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, telehealth adoption surged, and many health systems integrated video directly into EHR workflows. Physicians also use third-party secure chat apps for cross-coverage and locum tenens arrangements, though these must comply with organizational policies and privacy rules.
Regulatory guidance from the FDA and CMS has shaped how physicians communicate digitally, particularly around telehealth prescribing and data sharing. For a current regulatory perspective on digital communication tools, see the FDA page at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/telehealth-and-telemedicine. FDA guidance on telehealth and digital communication The combination of secure EHR messaging, telehealth video, and limited email forms the core of modern physician communication, with secure messaging consistently ranked as the most frequently used channel in recent industry surveys.