If you are comfortable communicating via e-mail with your physician, ask if this is an option for needs that arise between visits. More and more physicians are open to communicating via e-mail, especially if the patient initiates the communication.

One of the primary benefits of e-mail communication is that you, as the patient, receive a written, legible record of the information directly from your physician. Questions you may want to ask your physician regarding e-mail communication include:

• Do you communicate via e-mail with patients? May I e-mail you?
• Do you have a written policy regarding e-mail communication?
• Are there topics I should not address via e-mail?
• Is there a charge for e-mail communication? Will insurance cover it?