AI receptionist for physiotherapy clinics: how it works with Cliniko

Why do physio clinics need help with the phone?

Physios spend their day hands-on with patients, and many clinics have a small front desk or none at all. When nobody can answer, a new patient may ring the next clinic, and a follow-up may not get rebooked. An AI receptionist answers every call, 24/7, and books the patient while they're still on the line.

What can an AI receptionist do for a physiotherapy clinic?

• Book the right appointment type: initial assessment, follow-up or a longer session, each with the right length.
• Book with the physio the patient asks for, or the next available one.
• Move and cancel appointments in your practice software, so the slot can go to someone else.
• Answer admin questions from your own information: prices, opening hours, parking, what to wear, what to bring and your cancellation policy.
• Take a deposit or payment on the call if you take them, and sell gift cards.
• Fill gaps by texting patients on your waitlist when a slot opens, and send a text back to any call you miss.

How does it work with Cliniko?

Cliniko doesn't have its own AI phone receptionist, so AI receptionists connect to it from outside. CallPad books, moves and cancels appointments in Cliniko in real time, with a named practitioner and your appointment types, and works the same way in every country CallPad serves. Read CallPad with Cliniko for the details.

What about Jane App and other practice software?

CallPad doesn't book into Jane yet. If your clinic runs Jane, see Does Jane App have an AI receptionist?. Besides Cliniko, CallPad books into Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar, Square Appointments, Mindbody and the other systems on the booking systems CallPad works with.

How should it handle clinical questions?

An AI receptionist shouldn't assess symptoms or say whether physio is right for someone. Tell it which questions to pass on, such as new or worsening pain, injuries, post-surgery questions, exercise advice or anything about a patient's treatment plan. CallPad transfers those calls to your team or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted. We also recommend your instructions tell anyone describing an emergency to contact emergency services.

What about patient privacy?

Ask any provider how it stores call recordings and patient details, and who can access them. CallPad keeps treatment details out of reminder and confirmation texts. For US clinics, CallPad offers a BAA. In Australia, CallPad complies with the Australian Privacy Act. This is general information, not legal advice.

How do you set it up?

• Connect your practice software so the AI sees your appointment types, lengths and practitioners.
• Add your prices, policies, referral and payment information, and the questions it should pass on.
• Forward your calls, either all of them or only the ones your team misses. Your number stays the same.
• Make test calls for an initial assessment, a reschedule and a clinical question, check the bookings, then go live.

With CallPad, setup takes about 10 minutes.

How CallPad helps

CallPad is an AI receptionist for salons, spas, med spas and clinics in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. It answers every call 24/7, handles several calls at once and screens out spam calls. It answers questions from your own information, including your prices, and speaks several languages. It books, moves and cancels appointments in real time with a named stylist or practitioner on the booking systems CallPad works with, including multi-service bookings, and can take a deposit or payment on the call or sell a gift card. If you have more than one location, it asks which one the caller wants and books into that location's calendar. It also replies to texts and can book by text, sends missed-call text-backs and texts clients on your waitlist when a slot opens up. When a caller needs a person, it transfers the call to your team or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted. Setup takes about 10 minutes. For clinical questions, it hands the call to your team rather than answering itself.

Related guides

• AI receptionist for acupuncture clinics
• Does Cliniko have an AI receptionist?
• Does Jane App have an AI receptionist?
• AI receptionist for chiropractors
• AI receptionist for massage therapists

Frequently asked questions

Can an AI receptionist book physio appointments in Cliniko?

Yes. CallPad books, moves and cancels appointments in Cliniko in real time, with the physiotherapist the patient asks for and the right appointment type, such as an initial assessment or a follow-up.

Will the AI give patients medical advice?

No. CallPad doesn't answer clinical questions. Questions about symptoms, injuries, whether physio is right for someone, exercises or pain after treatment go to your team: it transfers the call or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted.

Does CallPad work with Jane App?

Not yet. Jane isn't one of CallPad's live integrations. If your clinic runs Jane, read our guide to Jane and AI receptionists. CallPad books into Cliniko, Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar and the other systems on its list.

Can it answer questions about insurance, funding or referrals?

It can answer from the information you give it, for example whether you need a referral, which payment options you accept and what to bring. Anything that depends on the patient's own situation should go to your team.

Does CallPad offer a BAA for US physio clinics?

CallPad offers a BAA. Ask any provider how it stores call recordings and patient details, and check your own obligations with your adviser.

Try CallPad

Ask us about your clinic, or hear CallPad answer a booking call.