> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.welkinhealth.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.welkinhealth.com/care/communication/inbox/inbox-new-conversation.md).

# Initiating New Conversations

## Overview

Care team members can start brand-new outbound conversations directly from the Inbox, without switching to the Communication Center. A **+ New** button in the Inbox navigation opens a New Conversation panel where you choose the channel and recipient.

***

## Starting a New Conversation

1. In the Inbox, click **+ New** in the navigation
2. A New Conversation panel opens with a channel picker
3. Select the channel — **Email**, **SMS**, or **Chat** — and fill in the required fields
4. Send the message

The new conversation appears in your Inbox immediately.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://1217226817-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQvXoGL7kKvEhUWEGGIAn%2Fuploads%2FvtBJtOrvjXMpKf7QROFl%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7cff9711-1aa8-4fe8-9fe6-978f28959c3a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

***

## Channel Options

### Email

| Field         | Description                  |
| ------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Recipient** | Select the patient           |
| **Subject**   | Enter the email subject line |
| **Body**      | Compose your message         |

After sending, a new email conversation is created in the Inbox.

### SMS

| Field             | Description                                         |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Recipient**     | Select the patient                                  |
| **Outbound line** | Choose the organizational phone number to send from |

If a conversation with that patient on the selected line already exists, you are transferred into it after sending. Otherwise a new SMS conversation is created.

### Chat

| Field         | Description        |
| ------------- | ------------------ |
| **Recipient** | Select the patient |

If a previous chat conversation exists with that patient, you are transferred into it. Otherwise a new chat is created.

***

## Related Topics

* [Inbox](/care/communication/inbox.md) — Inbox overview and general usage
* Phone Channel — SMS, calls, and voicemails in the Inbox
* Email — email functionality in the Care Portal
* SMS — SMS messaging


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