The use of text messaging to improve asthma control a study of short message service (SMS)The use of text messaging to improve asthma control a study of short message service (SMS)

LATHY PRABHAKARAN 1, JANE C 1,CHUA K C2, WONG W M3, ABISHEGANANDED J 4, Department of Nursing 1, Clinical Research Unit 2, National Health Care Group3, Respiratory Medicine 4, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

RESULTS

METHODOLOGYThe recruitment started in August 2007.

All consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of asthma were screen using inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Patients were randomized into 60 in the control and 60 in the intervention group.

Patients in the intervention group received SMS messaging following a structured workflow whereas patients in the control group had no SMS support.

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic disease are being followed up regularly in hospital clinics. This had added on to the burden of hospitals focusing on treating acute and complicated patients.

Stable chronic disease patients can safely and rightfully be monitored at home, returning to hospital for consultation only when there are changes in his or her conditions.

The use of technologies to improve of patient behaviour is documented within several area e.g. vaccination1 oral contraceptives2 and use of prescribed medication3 .

Home monitoring was used to collect data of patients for better clinical management and to avoid unnecessary visits to expensive tertiary care institutions, while allowing patients to be safely monitored

Coupled with a highly educated population and good accessibility of technologies in Singapore, it is imminent for NHG to explore engaging patients in Home Monitoring.

In this pilot service patients receive SMS on their mobile phone

CONCLUSION

We found reliable difference in patient characteristics to suggest that the SMS service may not be suitable for certain types of patients.

Implementation efforts should be aware that other methods of outreach may be necessary for these patient subgroups.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

• The authors would like to thank Ms Syahidah Salleh 2nd year nursing student from Nee Ann Poly for her assistance in data entry and management.

REFERENCES

Vilella et al. The role of mobile phones in improving vaccination rates in travelers. Prev.Med.2004 Apr;38(4):503-509.

1. Fox et al. Feasibility study of the use of daily electronic mail reminder to improve oral contraceptive compliance.Contraception.2008 Nov; 68(5):365-371.

2. Hagstrom et al. What happened to the prescriptions? A single short standardized telephone call may increase compliance. Fam Pract.2004 Feb;21(1):46-50.

Figure 1: Asthma cases screen during the recruitment Aug 07-June 08Figure 1: Asthma cases screen during the recruitment Aug 07-June 08

Table 1: Analysis of demographic for exclusion from the study

Demographic characteristics P value

Sex NS

Age P <0.001

Race

Chinese P=0.001

Malay P<0.001

Indian P = 0.6

AIMS OF STUDYTo evaluate the feasibility of using SMS for symptoms monitoring through mobile phones by patients admitted for asthma

Asthma cases screen from Aug 07 to June 08N = 497

ExcludedN = 377

Control groupN = 60

Intervention GroupN = 6o

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Fre

qu

ency

Below 21 years Significant co-morbidity

Don't have HP Don't know howto SMS

Non-Englishspeaking

Unwilling toparticipate

Intermittenasthma

Figure 2: Frequency distribution of reason for exclusion