Sending an email to your doctor requires a professional and respectful tone. Knowing how to end the email appropriately is crucial for maintaining a positive doctor-patient relationship and ensuring your message is received well. This guide will explore various ways to conclude your email to your doctor, covering different scenarios and situations.
Choosing the Right Closing: Professionalism is Key
The closing of your email to a doctor should always be polite, concise, and professional. Avoid overly casual closings you might use with friends or family. Remember, you are communicating with a healthcare professional.
Appropriate Closings:
- Sincerely: A classic and universally accepted choice, conveying respect and formality.
- Respectfully: A slightly more formal option suitable for situations requiring extra deference.
- Regards: A more concise yet still professional closing.
- Thank you: Especially effective if you are expressing gratitude for their time or assistance. You can combine this with another closing like "Thank you, sincerely."
- Kind regards: A warmer, yet still professional option.
Closings to Avoid:
- Best: Too informal for professional communication.
- Cheers: Highly informal and inappropriate for this context.
- Love: Completely inappropriate for a doctor's email.
- Talk to you soon: Avoid this unless you have already scheduled a follow-up appointment.
Crafting Your Closing Paragraph: Adding a Personal Touch (Subtly)
While the closing itself should be professional, the paragraph preceding it can add a touch of personalization, further strengthening your communication. This is where you can express your appreciation for their time or briefly reiterate your main point.
Example 1 (Following up on test results):
Thank you for your time and consideration. I eagerly await the results of my blood tests and will contact the office if I have any questions.
Example 2 (Requesting an appointment):
I appreciate you considering my request for an appointment. Please let me know if my requested time is unavailable and what alternative options might be.
Example 3 (Asking a Quick Question):
Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
Adding Contact Information: Ensuring Reachability
In many cases, it's helpful to reiterate your contact information in the closing paragraph. This ensures the doctor can easily get in touch if they need further clarification or information.
Example:
Thank you for your time and consideration. You can reach me at 555-1212 or [your email address] if you require any additional information.
The Importance of Proofreading: Error-Free Communication
Before sending any email, especially to a healthcare professional, meticulously proofread your message. Typos and grammatical errors can create a negative impression. Take the time to review your entire email, paying close attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Email Etiquette
Knowing how to properly end an email to your doctor is a significant aspect of maintaining effective communication within the healthcare system. By employing appropriate closings and crafting a respectful and professional tone, you contribute to a positive and productive relationship with your healthcare provider. Remember, clear, concise, and courteous communication is key to receiving the best possible care.
