Faculty and student expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a campus and distance doctor of pharmacy program.

Objective: To examine faculty members' and students' expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a dual pathway pharmacy program.

Methods: Three parallel survey instruments were administered to campus students, distance students, and faculty members, respectively. Focus groups with students and faculty were conducted.

Results: Faculty members perceived themselves as more accessible and approachable by e-mail than either group of students did. Campus students expected a shorter faculty response time to e-mail and for faculty members to be more available than did distance students.

Conclusion: E-mail is an effective means of computer-mediated communication between faculty members and students and can be used to promote a sense of community and inclusiveness (ie, immediacy), especially with distant students.