> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.decodahealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Send and receive text messages with patients, manage phone calls, respond to Instagram and Messenger DMs, and use AI-suggested responses.

<Info>
  **Where to find Communications:** In the left sidebar, click **Comms**, then select **Chat** for text messaging or **Calls** for phone call history.
</Info>

<Info>
  **Prerequisites:** You should have [Patients](/modules/patients) in the system before messaging. To use AI-suggested responses, configure a texting assistant in [Assistants Settings](/modules/settings/assistants). Chat requires the **Texting** module and Calls requires the **Calling** module to be enabled for your organization.
</Info>

The Communications module is where your team handles patient messaging and phone calls. Chat gives you a shared inbox for two-way text conversations with patients, with optional AI-suggested replies. Calls logs every phone call your organization makes and receives, complete with recordings, transcripts, and AI summaries.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Messaging Patients" icon="message" href="/modules/comms/chat">
    Send and receive texts, manage your inbox, and handle shared phone numbers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Texting" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/modules/comms/ai-responses">
    Review AI-generated responses, enable AI-powered scheduling over SMS, and execute AI actions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Social Inbox" icon="hashtag" href="/modules/comms/social">
    Manage Instagram and Messenger DMs, link conversations to patients, and reply in real time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Call History & Recordings" icon="phone" href="/modules/comms/calls">
    Browse past calls, listen to recordings, read transcripts, and review AI actions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Faxing" icon="fax" href="/modules/comms/fax">
    Send and receive faxes, attach documents from a patient chart, and manage fax contacts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Blasts" icon="bullhorn" href="/modules/comms/blasts">
    Send bulk email and SMS messages to groups of patients using cohorts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Warming" icon="fire" href="/modules/comms/email-warming">
    How large email blasts are paced over several days to protect your sending reputation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cohorts" icon="users" href="/modules/comms/cohorts">
    Create and manage saved patient groups for targeting blasts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sequences" icon="repeat" href="/modules/comms/sequences">
    Message a cohort once or on a repeating schedule.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What New Users Should Expect

When you first open the **Chat** page, your inbox will be empty until patients start texting your clinic's number or you start a new conversation. Once messages begin coming in, conversations appear in a list on the left side of the screen. Click any conversation to read and reply.

The **Calls** page shows a table of every phone call across your organization. If your clinic uses an AI calling assistant, you'll see AI-generated summaries and transcripts for each call right away.

## Advanced Configuration

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="AI Texting Assistant">
    The AI texting assistant generates suggested replies for patient messages. Configure it under **Settings > Assistants > Texting**:

    * **Assistant Name** -- The display name that appears on AI-generated messages.
    * **Custom Prompt** -- Instructions that guide how the AI composes replies (tone, length, phrases to use, etc.).
    * **AI Model** -- Select which AI model generates suggestions.
    * **Phone Number** -- The phone number used for outbound AI messages.

    See [Assistants Settings](/modules/settings/assistants) for full details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="AI Calling Assistants">
    AI calling assistants handle inbound and outbound phone calls automatically. Configure them under **Settings > Assistants**:

    * **Inbound Assistant** -- Handles incoming calls, answers patient questions, and can take actions like booking appointments or sending invoices.
    * **Outbound Assistants** -- Make automated calls for reminders, follow-ups, billing, and lab results.

    Each assistant type can be customized with its own prompt, voice, and phone number. See [Assistants Settings](/modules/settings/assistants) for full details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Permissions">
    Communications features are controlled by these permissions:

    **Chat:**

    * **Messaging Chats Read** -- Required to view the Chat page and read patient conversations. Without this permission, the Chat section is not accessible.
    * **Messaging Chats Write** -- Required to send text messages and manage conversation status (mark as resolved, block or unblock texting).
    * **Patients Create / Patients Profiles Write** -- Required to use the **New Chat** button, since starting a new chat may require creating a patient record.

    **Calls:**

    * **Messaging Calls Read** -- Required to view the Calls page and call history.
    * **Messaging Calls Make** -- Required to make outbound phone calls to patients.

    **Email:**

    * **Messaging Emails Read** -- Required to view emails in the chat timeline.
    * **Messaging Emails Write** -- Required to reply to or forward emails.
    * **Messaging Emails Read All** -- Allows viewing emails across all users, not just your own.

    Permissions are configured under **Settings > Users & Roles**. Admin users have full access to all communication features by default.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>