What role WhatsApp API chatbot plays in healthcare sector

1. Hospitals:

Hospitals can automate various services for patients and visitors, ensuring that treatment-related information and procedures are accurately shared, providing everyone with hassle-free services. For example.

I. Doctor’s availability status:

Checking the status of a doctor's schedule is made easy through the WhatsApp Business API. Often, due to emergencies, doctors may have to leave, resulting in longer wait times or multiple visits for patients. In such scenarios, the chatbot can promptly provide updates if any alternative doctor options become available.

II. Important notifications:

Chatbot API technology enables the sharing of essential information such as bed availability, oxygen cylinder status, the availability of specific diagnosis injections, blood group availability, department details for major health issues in various hospitals, equipment and machine status, specialized doctor schedules (particularly for emergency surgeries), test lab information, and prices. All of these facilities can be conveniently accessed through the hospital's WhatsApp chatbot to ensure patients receive the appropriate healthcare services.

III. Reviews & Feedbacks:

Hospitals can utilize WhatsApp to send post-visit survey forms to gather patient feedback on their services and treatment. These surveys assess factors such as the proper medication facility, the safety and hygiene of the environment, and overall patient satisfaction. Collecting and analyzing these feedback responses helps hospitals enhance their services and build greater brand loyalty by improving the overall patient experience during treatment.

VI. Seminars for rural areas:

Hospitals and medical colleges can use WhatsApp API to share notifications about medical camps, health workshops, free checkups, and consultations they organize. This enables people to easily register online for these medical services. Additionally, they can educate individuals on how to use WhatsApp Business API for medical needs, allowing them to seek online consultations or schedule doctor appointments with a simple text. Moreover, they can provide information on common health issues, preventive measures, and stress the importance of regular check-ups for maintaining good health.

2. Clinics: 

Easily find nearby clinics tailored to your health concerns using WhatsApp API chatbots. This will also assist in sharing clinics near your pin code along with their timings and details. Once you've selected your preferences, you'll receive a list of suitable options.

I. Consultation appointment:

Automated chatbots make it possible for patients to book appointments in advance, receive confirmations, check doctor availability, reserve time slots, and even easily cancel or reschedule appointments, all through WhatsApp.

II. Get homeopathic & Ayurveda clinics details:

Users can effortlessly discover nearby Ayurveda doctors or homeopathic clinics by sharing their pin codes with the WhatsApp API, which will then recommend a list of options with details and contact information. Additionally, it can provide directions for easy navigation by integrating with mapping services.

III. Get skin, hair etc. top practitioners details: 

It will assist you in selecting your specific body concerns from a list of options and suggest specialists in your area, with their details, ratings, and reviews. Moreover, the chatbot can keep you informed about any promotional offers or discounts offered by clinics to engage with patients or inform you about new clinics that have recently opened in your vicinity.

3. Pharmacy & retail :

API chatbots can play a vital role in medical shops or pharmacies by providing online order services, updating customers about medicine stock availability or medical gadgets. They will receive all notifications through WhatsApp, making the process more convenient and efficient.

I. Online order services:

Users can inquire about medical product details, prices, and availability via the chatbot. Ordering medicines, medical devices, or healthcare products at your preferred time slot is possible. Plus, making online payments within the chat ensures a smooth order processing experience.

II. Updates regarding medicines refill or medical devices: 

Users can inquire about medicines to check whether they're in stock at the shop, allowing them to purchase in advance. Additionally, they can set medicine refill reminders to ensure they don't miss their prescriptions. If users urgently need a particular medical device, they can send a request through the chatbot.

III. Send photos before delivering

Online orders through WhatsApp will simplify the process of obtaining medicines. Users can upload an image of their prescription to the chatbot for ordering. The pharmacy store sends photos of the medicines to customers for verification before delivery. Once the customer confirms the order, it is delivered within the estimated time.

4. Counselling & therapy sessions:

Doctors and patients can easily track their sessions and keep a record of each one online. Doctors receive notifications about daily appointments, enabling them to confirm or reschedule in case of emergencies.

I. Appointment & Reminders:

The chatbot can assist in scheduling consultations and sessions, providing available time slots, receiving confirmations, and sending reminders for bookings without requiring manual intervention.

II. Online sessions: 

In situations where patients are unable to attend sessions in person, they can schedule online sessions, which can be recorded for later reference. Additionally, online therapy videos can be made available to support their mental health and overall well-being.

III. Updates & Notification: 

Patients can easily update any side effects or reactions they experience while taking medication. This allows for immediate assistance and treatment. Furthermore, the chatbot helps in maintaining online records for their future reference.

5. Dental care:

I. Appointment bookings:

Dental clinics can use chatbots to share their availability in advance. This eliminates waiting in the clinic and long queues. Patients can easily schedule, confirm, cancel, or reschedule appointments through simple text messages.

II. Sessions reminders: 

Chatbots can send appointment reminders to patients, helping to maintain a steady flow of appointments at dental clinics. Additionally, dentists can provide oral care tips and checkup reminders via chatbots.

6. Scan & Test labs: 

I. Get the nearest lab:

Health centers can easily share lists of test labs for specific diagnostic tests via WhatsApp API, allowing users to access multiple branch details conveniently without the need for calls or online searches.

II. Report Delivery: 

Laboratories can notify patients that their test results are available and can securely send them via WhatsApp chatbot. This allows patients to conveniently access their test results without the need to visit the lab again for collection.

III. Allows home collection for blood tests: 

Users can schedule a blood collection from their homes at their preferred date and time slot within the chatbot. Labs can send real-time updates when the sample is collected and when it's sent for testing. They can also use the chatbot to notify them when the reports are ready.

7. Health & wellness: 

I. Fitness Programs: 

Many nutritional and dieting programs can be organized online, providing diet routines, exercise plans, and yoga and meditation tips broadcasting through WhatsApp channel to unlimited customers. Users can access these programs online based on their needs and preferences.

II. Nutritional Guidance

Dietitians can offer customized meal plans to clients and track their diets easily by sending messages. They can automate sharing of diet tips and diet charts to make it easy for clients to follow their recommendations.

III. Reminders of physio exercise

Patients can receive reminders of their doctor's sessions on WhatsApp chat, ensuring they don't miss appointments and stay updated on their treatment plans. Exercise routines and media can also be shared via WhatsApp chatbot, enhancing customer engagement.

WhatsApp Business API is a driving factor in the healthcare industry that can help improve communication, engagement, and customer service. It streamlines operations, enhances patient engagement, and ensures a seamless healthcare experience. In rural areas, it can boost the effectiveness of medical camps and seminars, making healthcare more accessible. Overall, WhatsApp Business API can transform healthcare by connecting various sectors and improving the well-being of communities.