New study! Text messages are preferred by patients

🚨New study alert!🚨 Text messages are preferred by patients as a way to receive information from their surgeon’s office during the postponement of elective cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://lnkd.in/geXmqT2
-----------
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of elective arthroplasty cases, Kevin J. Campbell, MD, Jeremy Gililland, Lucas Anderson, Christopher Pelt learned rather quickly that their patients who were awaiting surgery desired some sort of connection to their office to help them cope with the anxiety regarding the uncertainty of COVID-19 and how it would affect their individual care.

In this study, the research team evaluated the use of text messages to communicate information to patients whose surgeries were postponed because of the COVID-19 restriction on elective surgeries.

Their hypothesis was that automated text messages during the COVID-19 pandemic would be regarded by our patients as an easy way to receive information and would not overly burden our staff or strain clinical resources.

A total of 3,032 texts were autonomously delivered during the study period. Patient engagement rates averaged 90%. Survey responses demonstrated that 98% of patients liked the text messages and 96% said that they felt more connected to their care team. 92% of patients agreed that the text updates helped them avoid calling the office.

With the ubiquitousness of texting, patients are preferring text over email and EMR messages.