Guidelines for Email

Communicate your Communication (Subject is...)

Many years ago when I worked at a healthcare consulting firm it was drilled into us to make all of our communications efficient and effective.

We risked loosing our job if we sent the wrong email or voicemail. It was easy to learn when that so much was on the line. Every email or voicemail had to have a pithy subject line, a clear expectation with deadline, and a bulleted, summarized list of details.

I'm not asking that you all send learn to send Pulitzer Prize winning emails, but there is some merit in sharing the things that would help me serve you better.

"Subject is..."

This was the catch phrase we had to learn, but basically, I'm just looking for the subject to help me understand the nature of your communication.

Some examples of homeopathic subjects:

• Stomach flu

• New Symptoms

• Checking in

• Checking in and questions

The Ask

Include in your email what you would like to come of your communication to me. Are you just checking in, sharing information you may think is important, asking a question about how to take the remedy, asking for a new remedy, etc?

It bears value to point out that if my clients communicate information to me, I am obliged to analyze it. If you can clarify the purpose of your email, it may expedite my ability to answer you.

Some expectations that might apply:

• You have an acute stomach flu and would like help with a remedy

• You have a new and uncomfortable symptoms and wonder if your remedy should be adjusted

• You're not sure you're taking the remedy correctly and need clarification

• You think you should move up your follow up appointment because things aren't going well, or a new situation occurred.

• Just checking in, no need to respond

The Details

To start, it's extremely helpful to know what remedies you've been taking and when you took them last. For instance, if you're on your chronic remedy, restate to me what the remedy is and how/when you've been taking it. I have all of this information in your notes, but it expedites my ability to process your email if I don't have to look this up.

Next, information is much easier to digest in list form. If you are so inclined, it is extremely helpful to have an easy to read summary. Keep in mind, this is an email communication and if the situation isn't simple, it will likely require setting up an appointments where I can gather more detailed information. Your summary will help me understand what direction we need to move in.

Other helpful ideas

Try to keep one email thread per family member between appointments. This helps to see all of your follow up information in one place. Unless of course the family has been struck by the flu, then there are no rules.