What is a Push Notification?

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

When these notifications are enabled on a patient's device, HotDoc can utilise this feature to send appointment reminders or health information to existing clinic patients who have booked through HotDoc, even if they don't currently have the app or website open.

Push notifications can eliminate potential issues with traditional SMS delivery that can be a result of network issues or message filters and also comes at no extra cost for HotDoc users.

Example of a Push Notification on a device

How does it work?

To activate Push Notifications, please see How to activate Push Notifications.

When the patient taps on the push notification, the associated appointment is opened automatically within the HotDoc app for them to either confirm or cancel. You can see this in action below:

Please note: 

• 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 as well.
  - Please note: We will not send a follow up SMS for COVID-19 Vaccine appointment types. 
  
  
• HotDoc will send a Push Notification for a health message. If the patient does not view this after 24 hours, we will send a SMS to follow up.
  
  
• To be eligible for push notifications for bookings not made via the HotDoc app, the patient needs to have already attended an appointment booked with HotDoc at your clinic.
  
  
• If the patient doesn't have the HotDoc app installed or push notifications enabled, they will receive their Reminders via SMS as normal.
  
  
• You can learn more about eligibility by reading Why didn't the patient receive a Push Notification?