Short message service or disService: Issues with text messaging in a complex medical environment

Wu, Robert; Appel, Lora; Morra, Dante; Lo, Vivian; Kitto, Simon; Quan, Sherman

doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2014.01.003

Cited by 27 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…For example, the implementation of an electronic medical record in a hospital setting has been shown to decrease face-to-face communication between physicians and nurses and worsen overall agreement about the plan of care (Taylor, Ledford, Palmer, & Abel, 2014); in addition, the use of short text messages in GIM has been linked to fewer verbal conversations and face to face interactions (Wu et al, 2014). Reflexivity about organizational routines such as rounds, referral practices and face-to-face and electronic communication can facilitate formal and informal interprofessional negotiations that contribute to high quality patient discharge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A sociological exploration of the tensions related to interprofessional collaboration in acute-care discharge planning

Goldman

Reeves

et al. 2016

Journal of Interprofessional Care

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Patient discharge is a key concern in hospitals, particularly in acute care given the multifaceted and challenging nature of patients' health care needs. Policies on discharge have identified the importance of interprofessional collaboration, yet research has described its limitations in this clinical context. This study aimed to extend our understanding of interprofessional interactions related to discharge in a general internal medicine setting by using sociological theories to illuminate the existence of, and interplay between, structural factors and micro-level practices. An ethnographic approach was employed to obtain an in-depth insight into health care providers' perspectives, 2 of healthcare labour in patient discharge with opportunities for some interprofessional negotiations; the role of organizational routines in facilitating and challenging interprofessional negotiations in patient discharge; and tensions in organizational priorities that impact an interprofessional approach to discharge. The findings provide insight into the various levels at which interventions can be targeted to improve interprofessional collaboration in discharge while recognizing the organizational tensions that challenge an interprofessional approach.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A sociological exploration of the tensions related to interprofessional collaboration in acute-care discharge planning

Goldman

Reeves

et al. 2016

Journal of Interprofessional Care

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“…24 Concerns that misinterpretation of messages that are sent by text can lead to inefficiency (because further clarification is required) need to be solved, particularly in complex issues. 8,25,26 Texting may also have an adverse effect on working relationships, with less verbal conversation and faceto-face interaction. 8,27 Weaknesses of our study include the fact that we used a questionnaire to obtain information and that the response rate was less than half.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8,25,26 Texting may also have an adverse effect on working relationships, with less verbal conversation and faceto-face interaction. 8,27 Weaknesses of our study include the fact that we used a questionnaire to obtain information and that the response rate was less than half. However, it has highlighted many aspects about patients' safety, governance of information, and the fact that younger age groups are using this method of communication more than their senior colleagues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 Two of the potential problems with these methods of communication are first, the oversimplification of messages and, secondly, the potential depersonalisation of relationships between colleagues. 8,9 While it is clear from these studies that texting is useful on many occasions, we know of no published studies that have assessed the prevalence and use of SMS texting when on call.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Short message service (SMS) texting as a method of communication during on call: prevalence and experience of medical staff in a large acute NHS Trust in the UK

Matharu

Hale

Ammar

et al. 2016

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

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With the widespread use of smartphones, text messaging has become an accepted form of communication for both social and professional use in medicine. To our knowledge no published studies have assessed the prevalence and use of short message service (SMS) texting by doctors on call. We have used an online questionnaire to seek information from doctors in a large NHS Trust in the UK about their use of texting while on call, what they use it for, and whether they send images relevant to patients' care. We received 302 responses (43% response rate), of whom 166 (55%) used SMS while on call. There was a significant association between SMS and age group (p=0.005), with the 20-30-year-old group using it much more than the other age groups. Doctors in the surgical specialties used it significantly less than those in other speciality groups (p<0 .001). Texting while on call was deemed to be safe and reliable (p<0.001). Eighteen clinicians (11%) admitted to routinely sending images of patients by text, despite some being identifiable. Texting was mainly used to update colleagues on patients' progress and give information about times of ward rounds and meetings. With the increasing use of texting in healthcare, much of which seems to be unregulated, further work and detailed guidance is required on what information may be given to ensure confidentiality and that SMS is a safe and acceptable method of communication to use when on call.

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“…6 Although communicating or providing information through SMS may improve efficiency, it does present unique challenges compared to face-to-face or paper-based exchange of complex information. 7 When developing messages the style, language, and length of text must be considered. 8 In addition, many researchers have used SMS to send reminders for adherence, 9-15 but fewer have described using its interactive feature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mHealth intervention development to support patients with active tuberculosis

et al. 2014

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Background Mobile Health (mHealth) based interventions have been increasingly used to improve a broad range of health outcomes. However, few researchers have reported on the process or the application of theory to guide the development of mHealth based interventions, or specifically for tuberculosis (TB) treatment management. Aims To describe the steps, process, and considerations in developing a text messaging-based intervention to promote treatment adherence and provide support to patients with active TB. Methods Traditional qualitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews, field notes, content analysis, iterative coding, and thematic analysis, were used to design and document the intervention development with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, administrators, and patients who were in active TB treatment. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model was used to guide the coding scheme for content analysis of patient-directed TB educational material and intervention development. Results The development steps included: a) establishing intervention components, including justifications, considerations, timing and frequency of components; b) developing educational messages, including cultural adaption, text or short message service (SMS) formatting, and prioritizing message delivery order; and c) determining implementation protocol. A set of 16 IMB-based messages were developed for the educational component. Final intervention development was achieved in 3 months. Conclusion A collaborative approach and application of a theory to guide the intervention design and development is supported. Although a collaborative approach was more time consuming, it resulted in a more responsive, culturally appropriate, and comprehensive intervention. Considerations for developing a text messaging based intervention are provided and may serve as a guide for similar interventions. Further empirical evidence is needed for applying the IMB model for adherence-promotion in TB efforts.

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Short message service or disService: Issues with text messaging in a complex medical environment

Cited by 27 publications

References 19 publications

A sociological exploration of the tensions related to interprofessional collaboration in acute-care discharge planning

A sociological exploration of the tensions related to interprofessional collaboration in acute-care discharge planning

Short message service (SMS) texting as a method of communication during on call: prevalence and experience of medical staff in a large acute NHS Trust in the UK

mHealth intervention development to support patients with active tuberculosis

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