Text messaging interventions to support smoking cessation among hospitalized patients in Brazil: a randomized comparative effectiveness clinical trial

Abstract

Objective A clinical trial carried out in patients hospitalized for clinical and surgical conditions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of text messaging interventions (TM) versus telephone counseling (TC) to promote smoking cessation among hospitalized smokers in a middle-income country. Seven-day abstinence was measured during follow-up phone calls one month after discharge. The comparative cost of the two interventions considered the cost of calls, time spent on phone calls and sending SMS and cost of the professional involved in the approaches. Results Past 7-day tobacco abstinence was not statistically different between groups (30.5% in TM group and 26% in TC, p = 0.318). Costs were significantly lower in the TM group (U$9.28 × U$19.45- p < 0,001). Continuous abstinence was reported by 26% of TM participants and 24.5% of TC participants (p = 0.730). In the 3-month follow-up, 7-day abstinence was 23% in the TMI and 27% in the TC (p = 0.356) group. Continuous abstinence was reported by 20% of TM participants and 24% of TC participants (p = 0.334). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03237949 Registred on: 30th May 2017.

Analyzing the Effect of Telemedicine on Domains of Quality Through Facilitators and Barriers to Adoption: Systematic Review

“…This theme included medication compliance, program or treatment adherence, follow-up visits, medical knowledge, and decrease in emergency department visits. There were 12% (11/92) of instances of 2 themes: changed behavior, which included sexual behavior, self-care, drinking, smoking, physical activity, weight loss, and salt intake [ 29 , 32 , 34 , 50 , 53 , 55 , 56 , 58 - 60 ] and increased quality of life (QoL), which included sleep, vitality, interpersonal problems, attitude, or as measured by the EuroQoL visual analog scale [ 31 , 36 , 37 , 39 - 41 , 45 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 60 ]. There were 7% (6/92) of instances of increased self-efficacy [ 28 , 35 , 36 , 41 , 47 ].…”

“…There were 2 instances of increased social support, which included a reduction in web-based discrimination [ 28 , 32 ]. A total of 3 observations did not fit any themes and each occurred only once in the literature: fewer immune-related adverse events (for cancer patients), increased quality-adjusted life years, and reduced costs [ 34 , 38 , 60 ].…”

“…All 33 (100%) studies reported that the intervention was an effective as modality of treatment [ 28 - 36 , 38 - 55 , 57 - 60 ]. A digital preference was observed in 97% (32/33) of studies [ 28 - 34 , 36 - 60 ]. Convenience was observed in 94% (31/33) of studies [ 28 - 30 , 32 - 60 ].…”

“…The authors noted the convenience of telemedicine and its ability to be available anytime, anywhere. Telemedicine patients did not need to take off work, drive to a clinic, find a place to park, wait for appointments, and personally expose themselves to the germs in the medical environment [ 28 - 31 , 33 , 34 , 36 - 60 ]. These savings in time and mileage were observed in 91% (30/33) of studies.…”

“…These savings in time and mileage were observed in 91% (30/33) of studies. In addition, some patients preferred a technologically oriented mode of care or delivery [ 28 - 31 , 33 , 34 , 36 - 60 ]. Patients valued technology and saved time and mileage in 91% (30/33) of studies.…”