How to Book an Appointment With a Doctor in an Email

Booking an appointment with a doctor is starting to get a whole lot easier now that more doctors are using mobile devices like the iPad and smart phones like the iPhone, Blackberry and Android. Physicians gradually are starting to use applications specifically designed to help them manage their schedule more effectively. Still, the use of email instead of the phone by doctors has not reached the popularity it has in other industries. In fact, less than 15 percent of patients communicate electronically with their health care providers, according to an article by The Seattle Times.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your physician. You will likely get a receptionist. Ask her if it is possible to get her email address or the physician's email address. Also ask her how accessible the doctor is by email or if he prefers any other sort of electronic communication such as text messaging or social networking.

• 2

  Ask your doctor at your next visit if she uses an appointment manager such as Dr. Chrono to schedule her appointments. If so, ask her the easiest way for you to email or file an appointment into her schedule. Some applications for the iPad allow patients to check a doctor's calendar and book appointments through the software.

• 3

  Explain to your physician that email is the easiest way for him to communicate with you. Doctors' offices are more likely to give you their email address if they know why you prefer to communicate that way. Give them your email address and be nice and polite in emails.

• 4

  Remember that your doctor has a personal life, too. Don't hound your doctor by emailing her constantly. If you email your doctor regularly, she may switch back to communicating only by phone.