Why I Give Patients My E-mail Address

“I waited six weeks just to get an appointment.”

I hear this phrase almost every week in my clinic. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the upper extremity, I understand how hard it can be for patients to access care, or even basic information about their condition. Despite all our advancements, our profession still places too many barriers between physicians and patients. Transparency, I believe, should not be one of them.

That’s why I give patients my email address.

Yes, my actual, direct-to-me email—one that no staff member filters or manages. It’s a small gesture, but it makes a profound difference. Through email, I can clarify confusion, advocate for patients, and offer a bridge of support between visits. I’m not diagnosing or treating conditions online, and I always ask patients to return to the clinic for proper evaluation. But having a direct line to me reassures them that they’re heard, valued, and not alone in their recovery.

Of course, this approach isn’t universal. Not every patient receives my email address. Many are content after an in-person visit and don’t need additional follow-up. I usually share it with those navigating complex cases—revision procedures, distant travel for appointments, or family members involved in care coordination. Sometimes, it’s a patient who simply needs an extra nudge of encouragement to stay engaged with their rehab. These are the situations where a little accessibility can have a big impact.

A common fear among colleagues is that offering direct communication will lead to an inbox overflowing with messages. In my experience, that simply doesn’t happen. Patients are remarkably respectful and considerate of my time. Instead of creating chaos, these interactions foster trust. They ease anxiety, improve adherence, and ultimately lead to better outcomes.

This approach won’t fit every specialty. A family medicine doctor or pediatrician, for instance, might reasonably need tighter boundaries given the volume and range of concerns they manage. But in my subspecialty, this personal touch enhances—not disrupts—the care process. It builds a partnership grounded in openness.

Medicine has long celebrated the “three A’s” of a good physician: Available, Able, and Affable. I’d argue that availability must come first—not just in person, but in presence. We’ve trained for years to serve others. Now, technology allows us to extend that service in simple but meaningful ways.

Transparency isn’t just about sharing test results or surgical details—it’s about being accessible, accountable, and human. Giving my email address is one small way to prove that the door is always open.