Texting Improves Patient Care

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

A recent study found utilizing text as a healthcare tool to remind patients of appointments helps them adhere to health plans.

Texting improved outcomes in a study by researchers in Finland published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. According to the study - Use of Mobile Phone Text Message Reminders in Health Care Services: A Narrative Literature Review - the majority of studies on texting as a healthcare tool found improved outcomes for patients.

Fierce Mobile Healthcare explains the study found of 77 percent of studies, 46 of 60, showed improved patient outcomes.

“With more than 6.8 billion mobile phone users and mobile phone technology penetration near 100 percent worldwide, mobile technology and text messages have changed communication between people and increased the use of this technology in health care services,” says the study.

Researchers predict that text messaging systems may be a great method of communication in healthcare, because of its availability and low cost to operate.

“Mobile phones are used in low-income countries and in most social groups including patients with psychiatric problems. Due to its low costs, quick delivery, safety issues, and reduced intrusiveness compared to phone calls, mobile technology has been favored in various contexts and is recommended in a variety of strategies and guidelines.”

"The findings of this literature review are encouraging," according to the study's authors. "Although no firm conclusions can be drawn so far, mobile phone text message reminders may be a potential method in healthcare systems. Given the widespread use of mobile phone text message reminders among different patient groups, it may have the potential to improve adherence to medication and attendance at clinical appointments globally."

In another study, a text messaging reminder system resulted in a 40 percent improvement to appointment adherence.