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The use of text messaging to improve asthma control a study of short message service (SMS). LATHY PRABHAKARAN 1 , JANE C 1 ,CHUA K C 2 , WONG W M 3 , ABISHEGANANDED J 4 ,
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The use of text messaging to improve asthma control a study of short message service (SMS) LATHY PRABHAKARAN1, 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 • AIMS OF STUDY • To evaluate the feasibility of using SMS for symptoms monitoring through mobile phones by patients admitted for asthma RESULTS Figure 1: Asthma cases screen during the recruitment Aug 07-June 08 • 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 Figure 2: Frequency distribution of reason for exclusion Table 1: Analysis of demographic for exclusion from the study • 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. • 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. • 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. • METHODOLOGY • The 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.