Custom fields let you add extra appointment-specific information into a reminder message when the standard reminder fields are not enough.
Purpose: Use custom fields when you want a reminder to include something unique to that appointment, such as a special instruction, arrival note, access code, prep detail, or other custom value your team tracks.
Where they show up: They are available while building reminder templates in Configuration > Message Templates.
How they work: In the reminder message, custom fields can be inserted as smart values. When the reminder sends, the system replaces that smart value with the actual custom field value from the appointment.
Example use: If your team tracks a custom field called Door Code, you could include it in a reminder so the patient receives the correct code automatically.
Best fit: Custom fields are most useful for information that changes from appointment to appointment and is not already covered by built-in reminder fields like appointment date, time, location, or provider.
What they are not for: They are not usually needed for standard reminder basics like patient name, appointment date, appointment time, location, or provider, because those already exist as standard reminder smart values.