> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.athelas.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Messages Page

> Send and receive internal staff messages, see message notifications, and leave patient notes in Insights.

### At a Glance

Need to send a quick message to a colleague, or have a conversation better suited to instant messaging than email? Head to the [Messages page](https://insights.athelas.com/messages). This lets staff message each other, all within Insights.

Depending on your site's configuration, the Messages page has two areas:

* **DM** — direct messages between staff. A pinned **Athelas Assistant** conversation gives you the assistant right in your message list.
* **Patient Channels** — conversations organized by patient, surfacing that patient's notes.

### How to Send a Message

Click **New Chat** at the bottom of the message list to start a new conversation. A search box appears in the header (**Start a new message**) — search for one or more colleagues and select them.

If patient messaging is enabled for your site, patients also appear in the search (prefixed with **Patient:**), so you can start a conversation with them from the same place.

Type your message, and optionally click **Add an attachment** (or paste an image) to include files. Then send.

### How to Receive Messages

When you have new messages, an **unread indicator** appears on the conversation in your message list. New messages are also counted in your Insights **notifications**, where a **Messages** section lists them. Opening a conversation clears its unread indicator.

### Notes

Outside of messaging, you can leave **notes** tied to a patient:

* Leave a note on a specific encounter.
* Tag a colleague in a note.
* Leave a **universal note**, which appears throughout Insights for that patient — across their encounters, claims, appointments, and more.

### FAQ

<Accordion title="Can I message patients from the Messages page?">
  Yes, if patient messaging is enabled for your site. Patients appear in the **New Chat** search (labeled **Patient:**), and the **Patient Channels** area organizes conversations by patient.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I attach files to a message?">
  Yes. Use **Add an attachment** when composing, or paste an image directly into the message box.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What's the difference between a note and a universal note?">
  A note is tied to a specific encounter, while a **universal note** appears everywhere in Insights for that patient — across encounters, claims, and appointments.
</Accordion>