AI receptionist for podiatry clinics: how it works

Why do podiatry clinics miss calls?

Podiatrists spend the day hands-on with patients, and many clinics run with one or two practitioners and a small front desk, or none. Calls during treatment often go unanswered, and patients who want routine nail care or an assessment may call the next clinic on the list. An AI receptionist answers every call, 24/7, handles several at once and books the patient while they're still on the line.

What can an AI receptionist do for a podiatry clinic?

• Book the right appointment type: new patient appointment, routine nail care, biomechanical or gait assessment, orthotics fitting or review, or a follow-up, each with the right length.
• Book with the podiatrist the patient asks for, or the next available one, across more than one location if you have them.
• Move and cancel appointments in your practice software.
• Answer admin questions from your own information: prices, what each appointment involves, what to bring, home visits if you offer them, referral and insurance questions, parking and your cancellation policy.
• Take a deposit or payment on the call if you take them, and sell gift cards.
• Fill gaps with waitlist texts when a slot opens, and send a text back to any call you miss.

Which booking systems does it work with?

CallPad books in real time with a named practitioner into Cliniko, including your appointment types, and into Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar, Square Appointments and the other systems on the booking systems CallPad works with. CallPad doesn't book into Jane yet; see Does Jane App have an AI receptionist?. For Cliniko details, read CallPad with Cliniko.

How should it handle clinical questions?

An AI receptionist shouldn't assess symptoms or say whether a treatment is right for someone. Tell it which questions to pass on, such as pain, wounds or ulcers, signs of infection, diabetic foot concerns, nail surgery aftercare, medication or how someone feels after treatment, and which ones need a same-day call back. 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 booking or practice software so the AI sees your appointment types, lengths and practitioners.
• Add your prices, policies 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 a new client, 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

• Does Cliniko have an AI receptionist?
• AI receptionist for physiotherapy clinics
• AI receptionist for chiropractors
• AI receptionist for osteopaths
• UK GDPR and AI receptionists for clinics

Frequently asked questions

Can an AI receptionist book podiatry appointments?

Yes. CallPad books, moves and cancels appointments in real time with the podiatrist the patient asks for, using your appointment types, such as a new patient appointment, routine nail care or a biomechanical assessment. It works with Cliniko and the other systems on its list.

Will it tell callers whether they need to see a podiatrist urgently?

No. CallPad doesn't assess symptoms or answer clinical questions. Questions about pain, wounds, infections, diabetic foot concerns or aftercare go to your team: it transfers the call or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted. Your instructions should also tell anyone describing an emergency to contact emergency services.

Can it answer questions about referrals and insurance?

Yes, from your own information. Add what you accept, such as referrals, insurance or health fund rebates, and CallPad answers from that. Anything it can't answer goes to your team.

Does CallPad work with Jane App?

Not yet. Jane isn't one of CallPad's live integrations. CallPad books into Cliniko, Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar and the other systems on its list.

Does CallPad offer a BAA for US podiatry practices?

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

How long does setup take?

With CallPad, setup takes about 10 minutes.

Try CallPad

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