Fax facts
Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 1467-1477
[Letters]
The statement by Karen Capen that a fax is legally a photocopy, in the article "Facts about the fax: MDs advised to be cautious" (CMAJ 1995; 153: 1152-1153 [full text / résumé]), must be challenged. Capen appears to believe that faxes are just paper documents run through a fax machine; she thus ignores the much more useful and widespread option of direct computer communication through a fax modem. There is no "photocopy" in this case. It would be more useful to regard a fax transmission as a form of telephone call, with the advantage of a readable message at both ends.
To continue the telephone-call analogy, use of the fax should pose little problem to physicians, who are well aware of legal requirements concerning prescribing over the telephone. Direct fax prescribing by physicians has many potential benefits. For instance, the original prescription remains in the prescriber's computer. Therefore, tampering with a prescription, such as changing the quantity, can be instantly verified by a conscientious pharmacist.
Computers should increasingly be found on physicians' desks. There is certainly a need for guidelines on standards and security -- a debate about this need is proceeding vigorously in Britain and can be followed on the Internet. We need a much broader discussion than Capen's observations on fax machines.
Robert T.S. Frankford, MB, BS
Toronto, Ont.
[The author responds:]
Dr. Frankford is correct in pointing out that the issue of the use of fax technology in medical practice (generally and in the specific case of prescriptions) requires a much broader discussion and study than the Case File format permits. As often is the case, the development of technologies such as the fax modem outpaces the development of policies and guidelines for their use, in both practical and legal terms. However, in the interests of careful practice management, readers are directed to their respective provincial or territorial licensing bodies for the most current and appropriate information.
The College of Physician and Surgeons of Ontario stated in May 1994 that "this issue [i.e., faxing prescriptions] will require further discussion with licensing authorities in medicine and pharmacy and professional associations of physicians and pharmacists as well as with the government."
Karen Capen, MA, BCL, LLB
Ottawa, Ont.
| CMAJ May 15, 1996 (vol 154, no 10) |