SMART Scheduling Links (Jira PSS-2659)

Project Name
SMART Scheduling Links (Jira PSS-2659)

Project Number
1941

Project Type

Product Family

Products
FHIR Implementation Guide

Project Intent
Create New Standard

Ballot Type

Project Need

Take the existing smart scheduling links framework and extend this to booking across multiple EHRS creating a kayak like booking experience for patients and calendly control for providers. This approach will allow for easier booking for many appointment types where patients traditionally have to call back and forth to providers to book an appointment. The smart patient Scheduling System project aims to develop a comprehensive, interoperable scheduling solution that leverages FHIR R4 standard or above to streamline appointment management across healthcare providers. The project will focus on creating a standardized, secure mechanism for real-time slot availability, appointment requests, and booking processes that can integrate seamlessly with diverse healthcare information systems. By implementing a robust FHIR-compliant scheduling API, the project will address current challenges in healthcare access, reducing administrative overhead and improving patient engagement. Key objectives include enhancing patient scheduling efficiency, supporting multi-provider scheduling workflows, and providing a flexible, patient-centric approach to healthcare appointment management. This work will concentrate on creating a FHIR standards-based scheduling interface that can be easily integrated into existing healthcare IT ecosystems.

Objectives and Deliverables
Create New R1 Standard; STU Ballot planned for May 2026

Project Document Repository
https://github.com/Culby/smart-scheduling-links jira.hl7.org/browse/PSS-2659

Collaboration Efforts

Dependencies
Bulk manifest

Stakeholders

Implementers
ZocDoc, Bwell, Optum, Defacto, GoInterop, AEGIS

External Drivers
There is an need to develop a FHIR open standards based method to book appointments while minimizing the paperwork. Existing healthcare scheduling standards are dated and there is a need for an open standard to improve patient experience to book across providers. These antiquated standards result in patient frustration and lost time and administrated work. The lack of standardization leads to inefficiencies that frustrate patients and healthcare staff, preventing easy navigation across providers and healthcare networks. Current systems struggle to integrate with digital health technologies and emerging tele-health services, creating a substantial technological gap that hinders patient-centered care delivery.

Common Names
Smart appointment scheduling service

Lineage

External Vocabularies

Backwards Compatibility
Yes

Joint Copyright
No