50+ free medical appointment SMS reminders samples

Benefits of using SMS reminders in healthcare

• Avoid gaps in the diary

Gaps in the diary are frustrating, especially when you know there is high demand for appointments. Filling appointments can help you run your practice more efficiently.

• Reduce no shows 

If you have a cosmetic surgery clinic, for example, missed appointments can be hugely expensive. Using SMS reminders helps to avoid no-shows and boost revenue.

• Take the pressure off your team

Having to call clients to check they still plan to attend their appointment is a huge time suck. If you can automate this instead, it’ll save you and your team a huge amount of time.

• Improve patient engagement 

Sending timely reminders about when clients are due to come in for appointments can help to engage them in their care and improve their experience at your practice. 

• Creates a professional impression 

The value of clear, consistent communication from your practice shouldn’t be understated. It all plays a part in creating a sense of professionalism at your business.  

SMS communication: can it go wrong?

But let’s be real. There is sometimes reticence about SMS as a communication tool.

Some clinics may be worried about leaving their patients behind. Others might worry that an SMS isn’t an appropriate communication channel for a healthcare practice. 

One study by the University of Bristol where test results were shared with patients via a variety of methods (face-to-face, over the phone, in a letter, via a patient portal, and via SMS) caused some confusion. Some patients were concerned that texts didn’t convey enough information about test results or found them inappropriate or ‘flippant’. 

Instead of simply opting out of text messaging, it’s better to have a well-considered strategy for your SMS communications. What you leave out is as important as what you put in.

Here are our top tips… 

Best practices for sending medical appointment SMS reminders 

1. Set expectations 

First of all, tell your patients that you’ll be sending text messages (if they opt into the service). Next, let your patients know why you will be sending texts and how the service should and shouldn’t be used. For example, they shouldn’t text asking for medical advice.

2. Say who it’s from 

A text message from a random number can feel invasive unless you clearly communicate WHO the SMS is from and the reason you’re getting in touch. Make sure you let patients who you are by including the name of your practice at the beginning of the text. 

3. Don’t text blast 

Even if your patients are happy to receive texts, it’s still important to play it carefully. If you blast your patients with SMS messages too regularly then they’re less likely to notice the really important communications from you. Plus, don’t text early in the morning or late at night. 

 4. Don’t include medical information

Don’t include personal medical details in an SMS, such as including the name of a patient’s medical condition or any test results. Instead, ask them to log into a secure patient portal to review any results or call the practice to arrange an appointment. 

5. But include some personalization 

According to a study by McKinsey, 71% of customers expect businesses to deliver personalized interactions and 76% gets frustrated when that doesn’t happy. Make use of meta tags so that your text address your customers by name, at the very least.  

6. Link to other resources

Sending out a text message to patients with pre-care or aftercare instructions? Always include a link to another resource such as a web page that has more detailed instructions. That way, patients won’t feel like they’re missing any important information. 

7. Have an alternative option 

Not every patient will want to receive text messages – maybe they don’t have a mobile phone or it’s simply not something they’re comfortable with. It’s important to consider an alternative option, such as a letter or a phone call, for patients who are less receptive to texts. 

8. Automate SMS messages 

SMS reminders take a lot off your plate, but only if you automate them. You can use practice management software to schedule appointment confirmation and appointment reminder texts at the time of booking, so you don’t have to remember to send them out yourself! 

Using text messages in your healthcare business

Done right, SMS can be a real value-add to your business. 

You also don’t just have to use texts strictly for appointment reminders. You can use them to confirm appointments, send recalls three months after a patient’s last appointment, or even send links and reminders about pre-care and aftercare instructions. 

• Remind patients about their upcoming appointments
• Help to reduce no-shows and patients not turning up to appointments 
• Reminding patients about pre-care or aftercare instructions
• Reminding patients about when it’s time to rebook 
• Remind patients about outstanding payments 
• Plus many, many more examples

How Pabau customers are using SMS reminders

Two of our clients recently shared how they successfully use SMS communications in their aesthetics businesses.

With texts being used for everything from reminder texts to sending birthday reminders to customers, they’re a great way to keep your clients engaged. Plus, regular communication by SMS – at the right time – can also really elevate how your business is perceived.