We are pleased to provide patients with e-mail communication services. Please read and complete our Electronic Communication Consent Form to take advantage of this service.

E-Mail is not to be used for appointment booking purposes or to discuss time sensitive matters.

You may receive updates for flu shot clinic dates, holiday hours or other general information.

 

EMERGENCY PROBLEMS

  • E-mail should never be used for emergency problems. In the event of an emergency call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

 

URGENT PROBLEMS

  • E-mail should not be used for urgent problems. In such cases, the patient should call our office at (416) 445-9673 to book an appointment.
     
  • If it is after hours, the patient should call the After Hours Clinic at (416) 486-1956.

 

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH USING E-MAIL

  • Employers and online services may have a legal right to inspect and keep e-mails that pass through their system.
     
  • E-mail is easier to falsify than handwritten or signed hard copies. In addition, it is impossible to verify the true identity of the sender, or to ensure that only the recipient can read the e-mail once it has been sent.
     
  • E-mails can introduce viruses into a computer system.
     
  • E-mail can be forwarded, intercepted, circulated, stored or even changed without the knowledge or permission of the physician or the patient. E-mail senders can easily misaddress an e-mail, resulting in it being sent to many unintended and unknown recipients.
     
  • E-mail is indelible. Even after the sender and recipient have deleted their copies of the e-mail, back-up copies may exist on a computer or in cyberspace.
     
  • Use of e-mail to discuss sensitive information can increase the risk of such information being disclosed to third parties.
     
  • E-mail can be used as evidence in court.

 

PATIENT OBLIGATIONS WHEN CONSENTING TO E-MAIL

Consent to the use of e-mail includes (but is not limited to) agreement with the following conditions:

  • The patient shall not use e-mail for medical emergencies, urgent problems or other time sensitive matters.
     
  • If the patient’s e-mail requires or invites a response from the staff or physicians, and the patient has not received a response within a reasonable time period, it is the patient’s responsibility to follow up to determine whether the intended recipient received the e-mail and when the recipient will respond.
     
  • E-mails to or from the patient concerning diagnosis or treatment may be added to the patient’s electronic medical record. Should they become part of the medical record, other individuals authorized to access medical records, such as administrative staff, will have access to those e-mails.
     
  • Medical staff may forward e-mails internally to members of the Physician’s staff if necessary for diagnosis, treatment, reimbursement, and other handling. Staff will not, however, forward e-mails to independent third parties without the patient’s prior written consent, except as authorized or required by law.
     
  • The patient shall not use e-mail for communication regarding sensitive medical information and should they choose to do so, the responsibility and liability shall remain solely with the patient.

 

CONDITIONS OF USING E-MAIL

The physician will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail information sent and received. However, because of the risks outlined above, the physician cannot guarantee the security and confidentiality of e-mail communication, and will not be liable for improper disclosure of confidential information that is not the direct result of intentional misconduct of the physician. Thus, patients must consent to the use of e-mail for patient information. Consent to the use of e-mail includes agreement with the following conditions:

  • Although the physician will endeavor to read and respond promptly to an e-mail from the patient, the physician cannot guarantee that any particular e-mail will be read and responded to within any particular period of time. Thus, the patient should not use e-mail for medical emergencies or other time-sensitive matters.
     
  • E-mail communication is not an appropriate substitute for clinical examinations.
     
  • The patient is responsible for following up on the physician’s e-mail and for scheduling appointments where warranted.
     
  • If the patient’s e-mail requires or invites a response from the physician and the patient has not received a response within a reasonable time period it is the patient’s responsibility to follow up to determine whether the intended recipient received the e-mail and when the recipient will respond.
     
  • The physician is not responsible for information loss due to technical failures.

 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMUNICATION BY E-MAIL

  • Limit or avoid using an employer’s computer.
     
  • Include in the e-mail: the category of the communication in the e-mail’s subject line, for triage purposes (e.g., ‘prescription renewal’); and the name of the patient in the body of the e-mail.
     
  • Review the e-mail to make sure it is clear and that all relevant information is provided before sending to the office.

 

    COMMUNICATION EXAMPLES BY E-MAIL

    • Personal information change such as e-mail address or telephone.
       
    • Confirmation request for an existing appointment such as the date and time.
       
    • Start or continue a discussion regarding a pre-existing medical condition that the doctor is aware of and may require some additional general input from the doctor.