Improving patient health engagement with mobile texting: A pilot study in the head and neck postoperative setting.

Improving patient health engagement with mobile texting: A pilot study in the head and neck postoperative setting.

Head Neck. 2017 Mar 06;:

Authors: Sosa A, Heineman N, Thomas K, Tang K, Feinstein M, Martin MY, Sumer B, Schwartz DL

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cell phone ownership is nearly universal. Messaging is one of its most widely used features. Texting-based interventions may improve patient engagement in the postoperative setting, but remain understudied.
METHODS: Patients were recruited before discharge from the hospital and received automated daily texts for 1 week providing information about expected recovery. Patients were encouraged to text questions to providers, which were triaged for intervention. Web-based surveys solicited patient feedback about the platform.
RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were approached, and 23 patients (72%) were enrolled in the study. All study patients texted their providers, although frequency (median, 7 texts; range, 2-44 texts) varied. Unmarried patients and those facing surgical complications used the platform more frequently. Mean patient satisfaction with the platform was high (mean, 3.8 on a 4-point Likert scale).
CONCLUSION: Text messaging seems feasible in the acute postoperative setting and potentially improves engagement of patients with head and neck cancer. Further study is warranted to confirm scalability and impact. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017.

PMID: 28263468 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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