Try it and see

doi:10.1136/bmj.a2786

Published 10 December 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a2786
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a2786

Letters

Copying letters to patients

Try it and see

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

Generally, doctors who are sceptical about copying letters topatients seem not to have tried it, whereas those who send copiesroutinely are enthusiastic.¹ I had initial reservations, butfor four years have sent copies of letters to patients, includingmy letters to general practitioners and for tertiary referrals.Asking patients if they would like copies adds minimal timeto a consultation, and few decline (some ask for a close relativeto receive the letter instead).The informal feedback from patientshas been uniformly favourable, and they say it makes them feelmore involved in their management.

None of my consultant colleagues who has tried copying lettersto patients has subsequently stopped because of the theoreticalproblems, and most, like me, have become converts to the practice.Try it and see.

Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a2786

Charles D Shee, chest physician¹

¹ Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6LJ

charles.shee@qms.nhs.uk

Competing interests: None declared.