What Are SMS Reminders and How Do They Work?

📱 What Are SMS Reminders?

SMS reminders in Echo-Health.ai are short, clear messages sent to patients after their consultation. They are based on the To-Do List approved by the clinician and are designed to help patients follow through with their care.

How Are SMS Reminders Created?

1. Echo-Health.ai generates a structured To-Do List based on the transcript.

2. Each item with a due date or timeframe (e.g. “blood test in 4 weeks”) is reviewed.

3. For each action:

   • A reminder date is suggested automatically, typically 3 days before the due date.

   • No SMS reminders are sent for actions due within the next 3 days — the assumption is that the initial To-Do List SMS covers these.

4. Once approved, SMS reminders are scheduled and sent automatically.

Why It Matters

• Patients receive reminders just before important deadlines — improving compliance.

• Reminders are date-stamped and can’t be edited once sent, supporting auditability.

• Because the reminder includes the date, patients can:

  • Add it to their phone calendar

  • Set alarms or alerts

  • Share it with family or caregivers

🔁 "SMS-based reminders significantly improve follow-up adherence, especially when tied to specific dates."
– Health Literacy Australia, 2022

Example

If the plan includes:

“Repeat blood test in 4 weeks”

The system will:

• Set a reminder SMS for 25 days later, to be delivered 3 days before the due date

Are They Logged?

Yes. Every SMS reminder is:

• Encrypted and stored securely

• Visible to clinicians for traceability