The short answer
The doxy.me Waiting Room is where patients land after checking in through your room link. You can see they’ve arrived and start their appointment when you’re ready. Checking in doesn’t automatically connect them to a video call.
Like the waiting room in your office, the doxy.me Waiting Room gives patients somewhere to arrive before you see them. They can get settled, review information about their visit, and know they’ve reached the right place.
01
How do patients enter the doxy.me Waiting Room?
Share your Room link with the appointment details. Patients open it in their browser, enter their name, and follow the check-in prompts. They don’t need a doxy.me account or an app download.
You can reuse your Room link for future appointments. Keep it up to date in your scheduling system and messages, and include the appointment time and time zone so patients know when to join.
Checking in doesn’t book an appointment. Your practice still manages scheduling separately.
For the steps and available settings, see the patient check-in guide for providers.
02
What happens when a patient checks in?
Your Dashboard shows patients who have arrived. You choose who to connect with and when to begin, so a new arrival won’t interrupt your current appointment.
The Waiting Room and patient queue are two views of the same stage:
When you’re ready, start the video call using the button below the patient’s name. The guide to starting a doxy.me session walks you through it.
Checking in doesn’t determine the order patients are seen. Your team manages appointments according to your schedule and care needs.
You can also turn on Check-In notifications to help you notice arrivals. In a busy clinic, agree on who watches the queue and who contacts patients if appointments are delayed. A quick update helps someone waiting understand what’s happening.
03
Can you customize your Waiting Room?
Yes. Premium plans include a Custom Waiting Room, which lets you add your own welcome message, appointment instructions, professional information, and additional content such as images or videos.
It’s a chance to make the experience feel more like your practice. A familiar face and a welcoming introduction can give patients a sense of who they’ll be meeting.
Follow the Custom Waiting Room setup guide to preview your changes, save a draft, or publish when you’re ready. You can also compare available plans for customization and other Premium features.
The Default Waiting Room is available on Free and Premium plans. It welcomes patients and shares practical tips to help them prepare for their call.
04
What should patients see while they wait?
Start with the questions a patient might have when they arrive:
Am I in the right place?
What happens next?
How do I contact the practice if I need help?
Is there anything I should have ready?
Keep the answers brief and welcoming. Explain that you’ll start the appointment, and include any preparation relevant to the care you provide. If something needs to be completed beforehand, share it before the visit.
For more ideas, telehealth.org’s guide to preparing for online appointments covers practical considerations such as privacy, device setup, and having useful information nearby.
That welcome is part of the wider patient experience. Telehealth.org also explores building rapport in telehealth, with ideas for making virtual care feel personal and attentive.
05
Common questions about the doxy.me Waiting Room
Can patients see other patients waiting?
No. Patients can’t see other patients in your Waiting Room. A patient connects with you when you start their call.
Can I edit the Default Waiting Room?
The Default Waiting Room can’t be edited. On a Premium plan, you can create a Custom Waiting Room with information tailored to your practice.
How can I preview what patients see?
Open your room’s Customize Waiting Room settings to preview your Doxy.me Waiting Room. Customization options appear on the left, with the patient preview on the right. On the Free plan, you can still preview your Default Waiting Room.
You can also open the Room link you share with patients and follow the Check-In steps to experience it for yourself.
Try it on both a phone and a computer. Read the welcome message as a first-time visitor: would you know you’re in the right place, what happens next, and how to get help?