In a method for initiating a data transfer from an implantable medical device a relay data request is generated at a remote device, the relay data request containing an implant interrogation request representing a request for the implantable medical device to create an interrogation data set. The relay data request is transferred to a patient device, and a communication link between the patient device and the implantable medical device is established to transmit said implant interrogation request to the implantable medical device. An implant interrogation response is transferred from the implantable medical device to the patient device, the implant interrogation response representing a response from the implantable medical device containing said interrogation data set. The implant interrogation response is transferred from the patient device to the remote device.