Electronic Messaging with Health Care Providers: A Means to Cope with Health-Related Stigma Threat?

• In Event: 055 - Regular Session. Health Policy

Abstract

Depression is negatively associated with the quality of health care. Recent health policies have spurred interest in how health information technologies – such as electronic messaging with a provider – may improve the quality of care, but few studies examine this issue in the context of depression and from a sociological perspective. We contend that since depression is a health-related stigma, individuals who anticipate stigmatization from a provider – such as those with more severe symptoms and who lack trust in provider confidentiality – may turn to electronic messaging to withdraw from the interaction while still being situated within it. In analyses we find that those who report more severe depressive symptoms and lack trust in provider confidentiality were the most likely among respondents to electronically message a provider. Neither trust in provider honesty nor competency were related to usage. Individuals concerned about stigmatizing health encounters are likely to electronically message providers, necessitating the need to assess whether this improves their quality of care.

Authors

• Celeste Campos-Castillo, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Daniel Bartholomay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Elisabeth F. Callahan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Denise L. Anthony, Dartmouth College