What is a Push Notification?

A push notification is a message that appears on a mobile device. Unlike a traditional incoming SMS, it is sent or initiated from an app on the user's device. 

When enabled, HotDoc can utilise this feature to send appointment reminders or health information via their HotDoc app. This method applies even if they don't currently have the app open.

Benefits of using push notifications:

• Can eliminate potential issues with traditional SMS delivery resulting from network issues or message filters and also comes at no extra cost for HotDoc users.
  
  
• Health information such as reminders or recalls is better received as it comes from a trusted source (the app the patient chose to download) rather than via an SMS.

How do push notifications work?

The patient must be logged into the HotDoc app. They will receive a notification and upon selecting the push notification, the associated appointment or recall message is opened automatically within the HotDoc app.

• For HotDoc appointment reminders, patients can tap to either confirm or cancel:
  

Example of a Push Notification on a device

• For HotDoc Recalls, clicking the notification will take the patient to their app and then immediately redirect them to the linked webpage to verify their details and read their health message:

What is the criteria for push notifications to send?

• The patient needs to have the HotDoc app downloaded on their mobile device and push notifications settings enabled. 
  
• HotDoc will send a Push Notification first for an appointment reminder. If the patient does not confirm or cancel via this method after two hours, we will send an SMS message to follow up.

• • Please note: We will not send a follow up SMS for COVID-19 Vaccine appointment types. 
    
    
• HotDoc will send a Push Notification for a recall. If the patient does not view their result message after 2 hours or their health message after 24 hours, we will send an SMS to follow up. (Please note: for Immediate Reminders (Sent when an appointment is within 24 hours of booking), we will not send a fallback SMS 2 hours later.)
  
  
• To be eligible for push notifications for clinic-booked appointments, the patient needs to have already attended an appointment booked with HotDoc at your practice.
  
  
• If the patient doesn't have both the HotDoc app installed and push notifications enabled, they will receive their communication via SMS as normal.
  
  
• You can learn more about sending criteria by reading Why didn't the patient receive a Push Notification?