Diabetic patients: Technology's useful to communicate with docs,
as long as it's free  SAN FRANCISCO Patients with diabetes may
seek information from their physicians outside of scheduled
office visits but are not willing to pay for such services,
according to a new study presented at the American Osteopathic
Association's 115th Osteopathic Medical Conference and
Exposition.  Among 300 patients with diabetes, the study authors
noted, 42% communicated with their physicians by telephone
outside of scheduled office visits and 13% used e-mail. However,
62% of patients said they would not pay to communicate with
their physicians outside of scheduled office visits.  "Patients
want some way to communicate with their physicians, such as by
phone or pager, to ask questions about managing their diabetes
or to share information about their condition, such as their
blood sugar levels," said study co-author Jay Shubrook, an AOA
board-certified osteopathic family physician from Athens, Ohio.
"They like the access, but they