Email as the preferred mode of doctor-patient communication

I always request my patients to email me rather than phone me for non-urgent matters. I find this is much easier for them - and for me ! I reply to all emails within 24 hours - and since they have to write down their queries, they are well-organised and ask much better questions, so my answers are better. Also, since I give them a written reply, there is much less scope for misunderstandings ! This way, we don't have to waste time playing telephone tag also !