Availability update automation

Purpose

1.1. Ensure real-time synchronization of practitioner availability across all booking calendars, directories, and communication channels.
1.2. Prevent double-booking, eliminate manual updates, and guarantee patients always see accurate acupuncture session openings.
1.3. Automate notifications to staff and clients about changes in slot availability, including cancellations and waitlists.
1.4. Integrate availability data with EMR, mobile apps, and third-party wellness platforms for unified scheduling and instant updates.
1.5. Maintain compliance with healthcare data requirements while automating all scheduling communications related to practitioner presence and absence.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Practitioner updates working hours or marks themselves unavailable in the source calendar.
2.2. An appointment is booked, rescheduled, or canceled via any integrated patient-facing portal.
2.3. System detects external events (e.g., national holidays, urgent leave reports, client-side schedule syncs).
2.4. External systems (EMR, PMS, or CRM) send data changing the practitioner’s availability.
2.5. Integration tools pick up new or edited availability information anywhere in the practitioner's digital ecosystem.

Platform Variants

3.1. Google Calendar
- Feature: Calendar API (Events: update, insert, delete) for practitioner availability.
- Configuration: OAuth setup, API call with JSON payload to update "available" status upon trigger.

3.2. Microsoft Outlook
- Feature: Graph API (Calendar Events: Create, Update, Cancel) to reflect schedule changes.
- Configuration: Registered app in Azure, PATCH call when hours are blocked or opened.

3.3. Apple Calendar (iCloud)
- Feature: CalDAV protocol sync for two-way availability updates.
- Configuration: CalDAV credentials, PUT/DELETE event commands for slot management.

3.4. Jane App
- Feature: Practitioner Availability Endpoint (PUT/GET requests).
- Configuration: API key, synchronize working hours on change.

3.5. Acuity Scheduling
- Feature: Webhooks/Availability API to update open slots.
- Configuration: Webhook URL, POST data after appointment changes.

3.6. Mindbody
- Feature: Mindbody Open Availability API (GET, PUT requests).
- Configuration: API token, automate working hours adjustment on triggers.

3.7. SimplePractice
- Feature: Availability API update for practitioners.
- Configuration: API authentication, update endpoint with new hours data.

3.8. Calendly
- Feature: Webhooks & Event Types API to manage available times.
- Configuration: Incoming webhook, PATCH free/blocked slots.

3.9. Setmore
- Feature: Staff Availability endpoint.
- Configuration: API key, automate updating available slots using PUT.

3.10. Zoho Calendar
- Feature: Zoho Calendar API for event insertion/removal.
- Configuration: OAuth, POST/PATCH for slot modification.

3.11. Schedulista
- Feature: Availability API for schedule synchronization.
- Configuration: API authentication, update open times via POST.

3.12. Shopify Appointments
- Feature: Appointments API to sync practitioner availability.
- Configuration: App API setup, auto-update slots upon inventory changes.

3.13. Healthie
- Feature: API availability update webhooks.
- Configuration: OAuth, trigger on new session addition/cancellation.

3.14. Doxy.me
- Feature: Calendar Sync/Availability endpoint for practitioners.
- Configuration: REST API token, automate post-change.

3.15. Square Appointments
- Feature: Appointments API (Availability endpoints).
- Configuration: Square Developer App, PATCH time blocks.

3.16. SuperSaas
- Feature: REST API for schedule slots management.
- Configuration: API key, automate slot updates through PUT.

3.17. 10to8
- Feature: Staff Availability API endpoints.
- Configuration: API key, trigger on calendar event change.

3.18. Appointlet
- Feature: Availability API for practitioner scheduling.
- Configuration: API token, update/clear time blocks.

3.19. Timely
- Feature: Timely API (Available slots endpoint).
- Configuration: OAuth, synchronize practitioner hours via PATCH.

3.20. Salesforce Health Cloud
- Feature: Custom Object APIs (PractitionerAvailability__c).
- Configuration: REST API call on availability updates from EMR/calendar.

Benefits

4.1. No manual tracking—real-time unified calendar eliminates human error and double-booking risks.
4.2. Instant communication with patients—rapid updates notify clients of new openings or last-minute schedule changes.
4.3. Multi-platform consistency—guarantees every external and internal system reflects practitioner presence.
4.4. Improves client satisfaction with transparent availability and increased chances for urgent bookings.
4.5. Ensures compliance and audit trails for every schedule modification, crucial in healthcare settings.