Yes, they can be as long as certain measures are taken. Electronic communication can be very useful for patients to access their information. However, safe guards must be in place to avoid breaching patient confidentiality. As a healthcare provider it’s your responsibility to keep patient information secure and protected against improper disclosure. A civil monetary penalty could be given by the information commissioner of up to $500,000 if persons who have access to patient information deliberately or recklessly breach patient confidentiality, when using email to communicate between patients and a medical practice. Safeguards are required to protect patient confidentiality. Patients should be aware that unless their messages are encrypted
