You are right about e-mails has become a popular method because if you cant see someone face to face you send them an email. Even though its popular it can also be misinterpertted depending on what you wrote in the email. Sometimes when dealing with a patient if they dont understand the letter you have sent to them they can call the office and hopefully get a better understanding on what is being told and explained to them. People working the Healthcare field should take some verbal training to better themselves speaking to patients ad everyone around them if they having trouble explaining something.
Source:
Pearson Customs; MIBC 104 Interpersonal Communications in the healthcare setrings