> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.welkinhealth.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.welkinhealth.com/designer/automations/automations-that-trigger-outbound-communications.md).

# Automations that Trigger Outbound Communications

Automations can be used to send communications outside of Welkin to patients, users, and even patient Contacts.

There are additional inputs needed to prepare to trigger outbound communications, depending on the intended recipient and mode of communication:

**Patients (Email/SMS/Chat)**

* Message templates (Email/SMS/Chat) — see [How to Create an Assessment or Form Template](/designer/documents-and-assessments/how-to-create-an-assessment-or-form-template.md) for message template setup
* Phone name (SMS) — see [Configure Phone Names](/designer/notifications-and-communications/configure-phone-names.md)

**Users (Email, SMS)**

* Message templates (Optional)
* Phone Name (SMS)

**User Contacts (Email/SMS)**

* Message Templates (Email/SMS)
* Profile Type (Email/SMS) — see [Designer: Profiles Overview](/designer/programs-and-profiles/designer-profiles-overview.md)
* Phone Name (SMS)

***

## Creating the Automation

The process to create an automation to send an outbound communication is the same as any other automation. You will need a trigger event, any conditional logic, and then the Actions. See [How to Create Automations](/designer/automations/designer-how-to-create-automations.md) for more information.

Once you have chosen your trigger and conditions, select the type of outbound communication you want to send in the **Actions** area. In most cases you will be required to use one of the Message Templates you created previously. If you are only sending the message to a user on your team, you can craft the SMS or email content directly in the automation area after selecting one of the "user" type options.

## The "From" Field

In some scenarios, you will see a field marked **From**. This field selects the phone number that will be used in the outbound SMS. This allows you to align different message types to the appropriate phone number and its associated A2P campaign (such as marketing). Configuring this correctly is required to avoid phone carriers blocking your messages — see [Twilio A2P](https://docs.welkinhealth.com/integrations/messaging-communications/twilio-a2p) for more information.

## Sending to a Contact

When crafting a message to a Contact, you will see a **Profile** field. The Profile specifies the type of contact for a particular patient who you want to route the message to — for example: Physician, Significant Other, Power of Attorney. The options available depend on which Profile types you have already created in Designer.

***

More Questions? Contact <csm@welkinhealth.com> or your Implementation/CSM for more information.


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