So why has the health care industry been so slow to adopt communication tools that are now second nature to most of us? Part of it could be financial pressure, according to Ponemon, but overall health care has taken a cautious approach to embracing anything that is not backed by evidence.

"This is actually a best practice in clinical care, where we are taught to go with the tried and tested, where evidence-based guidelines can actually save lives," he said.


Add HIPAA concerns to that mix, along with health care's reputation for being slower to adapt to change, and the picture becomes clearer.

"These are not excuses at all for our apathy, and it's time for health care to wake up," said Shrestha.

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