e-Marks and e-Prescriptions

Yesterday, I corrected final examinations. I also looked over the confidential message board area. This helped me to gage the students' ability in writing short answers. After my Excel spreadsheet was completely filled in, I entered the data in the BCIT online gradebook. The students will be able to see their own marks and then will read my email sent to their BCIT email account. I was thinking how quickly technology has been adapted for use in higher education. Only a few years ago everything was done on paper.

I can contrast this to the situation I encountered at my doctor's office yesterday. I needed to renew a prescription. Surprisingly, my doctor had moved to a new office. Somehow, I wasn't informed until I tried to make an appointment at the old number. The nurses did find my paper file in the mountain of them on the shelves. Certainly my medical practitioner hasn't got my email address. How archaic the office seems. Everything is still done on forms. The doctor's scribbling exists only in a file folder whereas, I'd like to see my complete medical file via the Internet. Hell, I don't see why the whole process of getting a prescription couldn't have taken place via the Internet.

In this age of increasing electronic efficiency, why are medical practices so out of date? Or is it just that my particular doctor is behind the times?