Automated appointment and medication reminders

Purpose

1.1. To automatically send timely appointment and medication reminders to patients in addiction treatment centers to reduce no-shows, improve adherence, ensure continuity of care, and enhance recovery outcomes.
1.2. Create personalized, multichannel notifications (SMS, email, voice, WhatsApp, mobile app push) for patients and guardians.
1.3. Enable automated confirmation workflows, rescheduling prompts, and medication adherence tracking without manual intervention.
1.4. Bridge communication gaps to maintain high patient engagement and compliance throughout treatment cycles.
1.5. Securely archive communication logs for compliance and audit requirements.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Scheduled appointment date and time is within defined reminder window (e.g., 24–48 hours in advance).
2.2. Medication schedule entry is due (e.g., daily, weekly, at specific times).
2.3. Missed confirmation or response (e.g., no reply within set timeframe).
2.4. Patient status update from EHR or practice management system.
2.5. New or rescheduled appointment created in center’s system.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio
• Feature/Setting: SMS/Voice API — Use programmable messaging and calls to send reminders; e.g., configure Message Service SID and phone numbers.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: v3 Mail Send API — Automate appointment and medication emails; set API keys, dynamic templates, and batch schedules.
3.3. WhatsApp Business API (via Twilio/Cloud API)
• Feature/Setting: Template Message — Pre-approved reminder templates to patient WhatsApp numbers; configure business profile and webhook.
3.4. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks — Post reminders to internal staff channels when patients miss appointments; configure webhook URL and message structure.
3.5. Microsoft Outlook Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Event Reminders API — Push alerts to patient calendars; configure OAuth and calendar event settings.
3.6. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Events.insert — Create timed calendar invites for reminder automation; set client secrets and notification preferences.
3.7. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Messages API — Dispatch personalized emails on medication schedule; configure sending domain and template parameters.
3.8. Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
• Feature/Setting: Push Notification API — Send mobile app reminders; set device tokens and notification payload.
3.9. Apple Push Notification Service (APNS)
• Feature/Setting: Push Alert — Push reminders to iOS devices via device tokens and app bundle ID.
3.10. Amazon SNS
• Feature/Setting: Publish API — Multi-channel notification sending (SMS, email, push); configure topics and endpoints.
3.11. Plivo
• Feature/Setting: Message API — SMS alerts for upcoming appointments; configure auth details and message templates.
3.12. Vonage (Nexmo)
• Feature/Setting: SMS API — Schedule and send medication reminders; provide API key, secret, and message schedules.
3.13. RingCentral
• Feature/Setting: RingOut API — Send voice call reminders to patient numbers; configure extension and caller ID.
3.14. Salesforce Health Cloud
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Rules — Set up automated reminders triggered by activity fields; configure workflow criteria and outbound message.
3.15. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows API — Automate email/SMS for appointment reminders; set enrollment triggers and notification templates.
3.16. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Message API — Automated channel alert for missed appointments; set up bot and webhook configuration.
3.17. Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Automation Rules — Trigger communication flows based on lead/event fields; configure webhook and notification content.
3.18. SmarterQueue
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled Post API — Schedule social DMs for outreach and engagement; configure API credentials and timing.
3.19. ActiveCampaign
• Feature/Setting: Automations — Set conditions for reminders based on contact tags and dates; configure webhook and email template.
3.20. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Messages API — Automate chatbots to send reminders in-app; set triggers and response sequences.

Benefits

4.1. Reduces appointment no-shows and late medication doses, improving treatment success.
4.2. Scales patient communications with minimal manual input.
4.3. Ensures multi-channel, personalized touchpoints, increasing patient engagement.
4.4. Strengthens compliance and audit trails for care providers.
4.5. Allows adaptive follow-up and real-time rescheduling, supporting operational efficiency.