Background Addiction to opiates and synthetic opioids poses a major threat to public health worldwide, with pharmaceutical opioids prescribed to manage pain constituting the main problem. To counteract this threat, suitable pain management strategies should be implemented in health care. Monitoring pain management seems to be feasible using telemedicine with a certain degree of resource intensity and digitization. As a communication channel for this type of monitoring, SMS appears to be a valid alternative. Objective The aim of this systematic literature review was to (1) provide information on the state of research regarding postoperative pain management via SMS, (2) establish a basic understanding of SMS-based pain management, and (3) provide insight into the feasibility of these management strategies. The research question was as follows: Is postoperative pain management feasible and effective utilizing SMS? Methods A systematic literature review was performed mainly following the PRISMA guidelines and another guide on performing a systematic literature review for information systems–related research. A search string was developed based on the objectives and research question, and eight databases were searched. Results The initial search resulted in 2083 records, which could be narrowed down by applying various exclusion criteria. Thereby, 11 articles were identified as relevant, which were accordingly analyzed and evaluated by full-text screening. In all articles, pain management interventions were performed using SMS communication between health care professionals and patients or their legal guardians. A prospective approach was predominantly chosen as the study design (91%) with the leading research objective of determining the intervention’s feasibility (73%). The primary reason for sending SMS messages was to monitor patients (64%). Overall, the use of SMS improved adherence, acceptance, and satisfaction regarding postoperative pain management. With an average response rate of approximately 89.5% (SD 3.8%), the reliability of SMS as a communication and monitoring tool was further emphasized. This response rate is significantly higher than that for email interventions (66.63%, P<.001). Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive picture of the current status on postoperative pain management by SMS. Communication via SMS was beneficial in all interventions, even preoperative. Six SMS interventions could be certified by the respective institutional review board and three were Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant. Therefore, the results of this study could be leveraged to address the opioid epidemic. Overall, the research question could be confirmed. Future research should extend this systematic literature review regarding preoperative pain management. Based on these findings, a pre- and postoperative communication model should be developed to address the opioid epidemic effectively.
BACKGROUND Addiction to opiates and synthetic opioids pose a major threat to public health worldwide, with pharmaceutical opioids prescribed to manage pain constituting the main problem. To counteract this threat, suitable pain management strategies should be implemented in healthcare. Monitoring pain management appears to be feasible telemedically with certain degree of resource intensity and digitization. As a communication channel for this monitoring, Short Message Service (SMS) appears as a valid alternative. OBJECTIVE Analyzing the current literature on post-operative pain management via SMS and developing a guideline in form of a Pain Management Communication Model (PMC-Model). METHODS A systematic literature review is conducted, mainly following the recommendations of Okoli and Shabram, and Moher et al. RESULTS SMS is effective and suited for both pre- and postoperative pain management. The PMC-Model designed based on the analyzed studies provides a conceptual framework for scientists, physicians, as well as other medical professionals. CONCLUSIONS The PMC model could efficiently address the opioid epidemic. It serves as a generally applicable pain management system, which can be individually adapted to the respective clinical situation. Additionally, the PMC-Model provides a conceptual framework for future research. Future research should refine the literature review, validate the PMC-Model, and apply it to various healthcare settings.
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