Missed appointments at your practice: 5 automations to reduce them
· 1 min read · Alec Jaccard
Every patient who doesn't show up is a lost slot and another patient left waiting. Here are five simple automations to reduce no-shows.
Missed appointments are one of the most frustrating problems for a practice: the slot is lost, the next patient waited for nothing, and the front desk has to handle rescheduling.
Most no-shows aren't bad faith: people simply forget. And forgetting is very easy to prevent automatically.
1. The SMS reminder the day before
It's the simplest and most effective measure. A short text, sent automatically the day before, with the date, time and address of the practice. Texts are almost always read, far more than emails.
2. Confirm or cancel in one click
The reminder can include a link to confirm or cancel. A patient who knows they can't make it cancels in ten seconds, without having to call during opening hours.
3. The automatic waiting list
When a slot frees up, the system automatically offers it to patients on the waiting list, in order. The first to accept is booked, with no call from the front desk.
4. Online booking
Letting patients book themselves, at any hour, cuts calls sharply. The slots on offer are only the ones you define: consultation types, durations, slots kept for emergencies.
The phone of course remains available for patients who prefer it.
5. Forms before the visit
For a first visit, the patient can fill in their details online beforehand. Time at reception drops, and the front desk no longer retypes handwritten forms.
What about patient data?
Health data is sensitive personal data under the Swiss FADP. Tools and hosting must be chosen accordingly, and only the necessary details (name, date, time) should go into reminders.
Atech sets up these automations around your existing calendar and practice software. A free audit shows what's possible in your case.