Doctors.net, a popular portal and network service for physicians in the UK, recently upgraded e-mailing capabilities with CommuniGate Systems (Mill Valley, California).

More than 100,000 physicians use the portal’s e-mailing services, including some 31,000 general practitioners and 69,000 hospital specialists, accounting for about 85% of UK doctors.

The CommuniGate Pro Unified Communications platform was selected to correct current deficiencies in messaging services and to allow Doctors.net to expand its offering with new communication features such as instant messaging and greater mobility for access through portable devices.

In exchange for the free services on Doctors.net, including e-learning resources, physicians agree to take part in marketing and market research campaigns conducted in weekly email bulletins. Web campaigns for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies also are given targeted access direct to doctors through the network.

The official e-mail service for the National Health Service’s networks in England is NHSmail, with more than 200,000 users. This service, which is endorsed by the British Medical Association (London), is used to exchange patient-identifiable data, referrals, consultations with colleagues, and follow-up treatment instructions and discharge records.

— John Brosky, European Editor