A daughter is arranging physiotherapy for her father, who has just come home from hospital after a hip operation. He cannot travel to a clinic. She finds a physiotherapy practice that offers home visits and sends a message. The physio needs to know where he lives, whether there are stairs, how mobile he is, what the operation was, who will be at home and when a visit would suit.
Home visit requests need more detail than clinic bookings.
Step 1: say whether you offer home visits
Many patients do not know home visits are available. Say so clearly, with the areas covered and the price.
Step 2: capture the address and access
The physio needs the address, whether there is parking, whether there are stairs and whether anyone needs to let them in.
Step 3: capture mobility and reason
Understanding the patient's mobility and the reason for the visit helps the physio prepare. This is general information for planning, not a clinical assessment.
Step 4: capture who will be present
Some patients need a family member or carer present. Knowing this helps plan the visit.
Step 5: capture preferred times
Home visits need to fit around the patient's routine and the physio's route. Capturing a few preferred times makes scheduling easier.
Step 6: capture it in conversation
SpideyChat for physiotherapy clinics asks these questions at any hour and captures home visit requests. More on physio clinics using it is in AI receptionist for physiotherapy clinics.
Family member: My dad needs physio at home after a hip operation. Assistant: The home visits page explains that the clinic offers home physiotherapy in the areas listed. So the team can arrange a visit, could you share your dad's address, whether there are stairs, how mobile he is at the moment, who will be at home and a few times that suit?
Step 7: explain payment
Home visits often cost more than clinic sessions. Explaining the price and insurance options upfront avoids surprises. Payment questions are covered in physio insurance and self-pay questions.
Step 8: urgent situations
If a patient describes a fall or a sudden worsening, the family should seek urgent medical help. The principle of directing urgent matters correctly is covered in emergency callout enquiries on your website.
Equipment and space
Families sometimes ask whether they need special equipment or a lot of space for a home visit. Explaining that the physio will bring what they need, and that a small clear area is usually enough, removes a worry that stops some families booking. It also helps the physio arrive knowing what to expect.
Ongoing home programmes
Many home visit patients need a series of sessions and exercises between visits. Explaining how ongoing home programmes work, how often visits usually happen and how progress is shared with the family helps them plan care around their week. Families who understand the programme are more likely to support exercises between visits.
Moving to clinic sessions
As patients recover, some move from home visits to clinic sessions. Explaining this option shows families there is a clear path forward, and gives the clinic a longer relationship with the patient.
Sports patients too
Some athletes prefer home visits for convenience. Sports injury enquiries are covered in sports injury enquiries from weekend athletes.
Setting it up
Publish a home visits page and set the assistant to capture the details above. The guides to installing the widget and training your bot explain how.