Automated appointment reminders via SMS/email

Purpose

1.1. Reduce appointment no-shows, increase engagement for addiction recovery.
1.2. Deliver timely, automated reminders to clients via SMS/email.
1.3. Integrate with EHR or scheduling systems to fetch appointment data.
1.4. Comply with privacy (HIPAA) standards in sensitive communications.
1.5. Allow client rescheduling/cancellation via direct link or reply.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New appointment creation in EHR/scheduling platform.
2.2. Appointment updates (change of date/time/location).
2.3. Approaching reminder window (e.g., 48h, 24h, 2h prior).
2.4. Missed appointment events trigger follow-ups.
2.5. Patient-requested reminders (e.g., by SMS keyword).

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: SMS API, configured with appointment datetime payload; `POST /Messages` sample: "Reminder: Your recovery session is on {date} at {time}."
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Transactional Email API; trigger with EHR webhook; dynamic template for personalized reminders.
3.3. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: `messages` API endpoint, use email templates with patient and appointment placeholders.
3.4. Plivo
• Feature/Setting: SMS API; configure sender ID, schedule message with `/v1/Account/{auth_id}/Message/` endpoint.
3.5. Nexmo (Vonage)
• Feature/Setting: SMS API, webhook config for scheduling; send reminder text from healthcare sub-account.
3.6. ClickSend
• Feature/Setting: SMS API, schedule send via appointment triggers; personalize with merge fields.
3.7. RingCentral
• Feature/Setting: SMS endpoint and Glip notifications; map appointment time to automated messages.
3.8. Google Calendar API
• Feature/Setting: Watch events, trigger reminder via calendar notifications or external function.
3.9. Microsoft Outlook Graph API
• Feature/Setting: Calendar webhooks, send reminder emails with event data.
3.10. Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Feature/Setting: Journey Builder, SMS/Email activity node, fetch appointments via API.
3.11. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows to trigger transactional emails; use custom contact properties.
3.12. ActiveCampaign
• Feature/Setting: Automations, "appointment date" triggers email/SMS sequence.
3.13. Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled workflows, send reminders from appointment module/VSMS.
3.14. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: In-app or email message trigger by calendar API integration.
3.15. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled message API, DM reminders to patients (if platform-normative).
3.16. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Template message with session info; triggered via approved template send API.
3.17. Freshdesk
• Feature/Setting: Automations based on appointment ticket updates to trigger email/SMS.
3.18. Smartsheet
• Feature/Setting: Row-based workflows, send email reminders from appointment sheet entries.
3.19. Calendly
• Feature/Setting: Event webhook, trigger external system for SMS/email on scheduled appointments.
3.20. SAP SuccessFactors
• Feature/Setting: Time Management module, automated notification configuration for healthcare appointments.

Benefits

4.1. Significantly reduces no-shows, improving care continuity.
4.2. Minimizes manual admin follow-up workload.
4.3. Ensures timely, private, and consistent patient communication.
4.4. Enables data-driven tracking of reminder efficacy.
4.5. Enhances patient autonomy with easy rescheduling options.