Abstract
Regular care and informational support are helpful in improving disease-related health outcomes. Communication technologies can help in providing such care and support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the empirical evidence related to the role of cell phones and text messaging interventions in improving health outcomes and processes of care. Scientific literature was searched to identify controlled studies evaluating cell phone voice and text message interventions to provide care and disease management support. Searches identified 25 studies that evaluated cell phone voice and text messaging interventions, with 20 randomized controlled trials and 5 controlled studies. Nineteen studies assessed outcomes of care and six assessed processes of care. Selected studies included 38,060 participants with 10,374 adults and 27,686 children. They covered 12 clinical areas and took place in 13 countries. Frequency of message delivery ranged from 5 times per day for diabetes and smoking cessation support to once a week for advice on how to overcome barriers and maintain regular physical activity. Significant improvements were noted in compliance with medicine taking, asthma symptoms, HbA1C, stress levels, smoking quit rates, and self-efficacy. Process improvements were reported in lower failed appointments, quicker diagnosis and treatment, and improved teaching and training. Cost per text message was provided by two studies. The findings that enhancing standard care with reminders, disease monitoring and management, and education through cell phone voice and short message service can help improve health outcomes and care processes have implications for both patients and providers.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 231-240 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Telemedicine and e-Health |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2009 |
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Keywords
- Cellular phone
- Outcomes of care
- Process of care
- SMS
- Text messaging
- Wireless
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Informatics
- Health Information Management
Cite this
Healthcare via cell phones : A systematic review. / Krishna, Santosh; Boren, Suzanne Austin; Balas, E Andrew.
In: Telemedicine and e-Health, Vol. 15, No. 3, 01.04.2009, p. 231-240.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Healthcare via cell phones
T2 - A systematic review
AU - Krishna, Santosh
AU - Boren, Suzanne Austin
AU - Balas, E Andrew
PY - 2009/4/1
Y1 - 2009/4/1
N2 - Regular care and informational support are helpful in improving disease-related health outcomes. Communication technologies can help in providing such care and support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the empirical evidence related to the role of cell phones and text messaging interventions in improving health outcomes and processes of care. Scientific literature was searched to identify controlled studies evaluating cell phone voice and text message interventions to provide care and disease management support. Searches identified 25 studies that evaluated cell phone voice and text messaging interventions, with 20 randomized controlled trials and 5 controlled studies. Nineteen studies assessed outcomes of care and six assessed processes of care. Selected studies included 38,060 participants with 10,374 adults and 27,686 children. They covered 12 clinical areas and took place in 13 countries. Frequency of message delivery ranged from 5 times per day for diabetes and smoking cessation support to once a week for advice on how to overcome barriers and maintain regular physical activity. Significant improvements were noted in compliance with medicine taking, asthma symptoms, HbA1C, stress levels, smoking quit rates, and self-efficacy. Process improvements were reported in lower failed appointments, quicker diagnosis and treatment, and improved teaching and training. Cost per text message was provided by two studies. The findings that enhancing standard care with reminders, disease monitoring and management, and education through cell phone voice and short message service can help improve health outcomes and care processes have implications for both patients and providers.
AB - Regular care and informational support are helpful in improving disease-related health outcomes. Communication technologies can help in providing such care and support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the empirical evidence related to the role of cell phones and text messaging interventions in improving health outcomes and processes of care. Scientific literature was searched to identify controlled studies evaluating cell phone voice and text message interventions to provide care and disease management support. Searches identified 25 studies that evaluated cell phone voice and text messaging interventions, with 20 randomized controlled trials and 5 controlled studies. Nineteen studies assessed outcomes of care and six assessed processes of care. Selected studies included 38,060 participants with 10,374 adults and 27,686 children. They covered 12 clinical areas and took place in 13 countries. Frequency of message delivery ranged from 5 times per day for diabetes and smoking cessation support to once a week for advice on how to overcome barriers and maintain regular physical activity. Significant improvements were noted in compliance with medicine taking, asthma symptoms, HbA1C, stress levels, smoking quit rates, and self-efficacy. Process improvements were reported in lower failed appointments, quicker diagnosis and treatment, and improved teaching and training. Cost per text message was provided by two studies. The findings that enhancing standard care with reminders, disease monitoring and management, and education through cell phone voice and short message service can help improve health outcomes and care processes have implications for both patients and providers.
KW - Cellular phone
KW - Outcomes of care
KW - Process of care
KW - SMS
KW - Text messaging
KW - Wireless
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65349185553&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=65349185553&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/tmj.2008.0099
DO - 10.1089/tmj.2008.0099
M3 - Article
VL - 15
SP - 231
EP - 240
JO - Telemedicine and e-Health
JF - Telemedicine and e-Health
SN - 1530-5627
IS - 3
ER -