Surgeons' Interactions With and Attitudes Toward E-Patients: Questionnaire Study in Germany and Oman.

The interactions show a high degree of engagement with e-patients. The differences between the German and the Omani surgeons in the preferred methods of communication are possibly closely linked to cultural differences and recent historical events. These differences may, moreover, indicate e-patients' desired method of electronic communication to include social media. The low impact of surgeons' attitudes on the activities may also result from a normalization of many e-patient activities, irrespective of the doctors' attitudes and influences.