E-mail offers an easy and convenient way for patients and doctors to communicate. In many circumstances, it has advantages over office visits or telephone calls. But remember: there are important differences. E-mail is not same as calling our office; there is no person at the other end of the call - just a computer. You can't tell for certain when your message will be read or even if your doctor is in the office or on vacation. Nonetheless, we believe that the ease of communication e-mail affords is a benefit to patient care. Please observe the following rules for contacting us using e-mail:
 

• E-mail is never, ever, appropriate for urgent or emergency problems!
• E-mail is not confidential. Your employer has a legal right to read your e-mail if he or she chooses. System operators for most e-mail systems have access to all of the e-mail that goes through the machine. Your e-mail may be reviewed by our systems operator of forwarded to members of our office staff (medical assistants, nursing, or medical records, etc.).
• E-mail becomes a part of the medical record when we use it; a copy will be printed and put in your chart. Please put your Name and Date of Birth in the subject line or message field of medical correspondence.
• E-mail is great for asking those little questions that take too long to ask when you have to go through a telephone.
• E-mail is also great to report the status of a problem.
• E-mail is not to be used for non-medical issues such as jokes or political messages. Please use e-mail only for your medical concerns and questions!
• E-mail is not hooked up to a stethoscope - yet. If you think that you might need to be seen by your doctor, call and book an appointment!