1. Introduction to Email Consultations

2. Advantages of email consults Convenient communication Easy access to health information and medications Easy to share information Relative anonymity No time limits Access to patient electronic medical records Easy for patients to record and re-read information

3. Disadvantages of email consultation Lack of non-verbal cues Unable to perform physical examination Risk for miscommunication Risk for diagnostic error Potential to miss urgent cases or critically unwell

4. Ensuring safe email consultations Only use encrypted iPrimaryCare Office emails. – Or Communicate through Patient Knows Best electronic portal. Do not use other personal email addresses.

5. Ensuring safe email consultations Email is not suitable for urgent or emergency cases. Always consider the need for face to face consultation or physical examination. Think about the safety of all medications prescribed via email.

6. Structuring Email Replies When emailing for advice, patients often don’t provide all the information clinicians would want. It is quite easy to misinterpret the question the patient is asking and provide the answer to a completely different question. By structuring the email reply you can avoid miscommunication.

7. Structuring Email Replies State the question you are answering Acknowledge the patients concerns and expectations. Answer the question and provide advice or links to further information Provide safety netting advice including timings for review if required.