Want fewer no-shows and more scheduled appointments? Start by fixing your forms. Because nothing kills momentum faster than a clunky, 20-field monster form that asks for everything short of a DNA sample.

Patients are busy, distracted, and sometimes anxious. A long or confusing form feels like a chore—and many won’t finish it. Every extra step is a reason to quit.

Here’s how to fix that:

• Cut the fluff. Only ask what you truly need upfront. You can always collect more info later.
• Use smart defaults. Dropdowns, checkboxes, and autofill options reduce friction and save time.
• Mobile-first design. Make sure forms are easy to complete on a phone—no pinching, scrolling, or tapping tiny fields. Never make your form a fillable PDF. We’ve made our living on computers and still they give us trouble – “Did I save that correctly? Are my answers going to still be there when I send it?”

A fast, simple form shows patients you respect their time—and makes them far more likely to complete it.

Want to make your whole site feel smoother? Don’t stop at forms. Read this next: Designing for Speed and Simplicity.

The takeaway: Forms should feel like a welcome mat, not a wall. If yours takes more than a minute to complete, it’s probably costing you patients.