- 作者：Hayeon Song ; Amy May ; Vishnuvardhan Vaidhyanathan ; Emily M. Cramer ; Rami W. Owais ; Susan McRoy
- 关键词：Cell phone ; Text messaging ; Health information ; Pregnancy
- 刊名：Patient Education and Counseling
- 出版年：2013
- 出版时间：August, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：92
- 期：2
- 页码：182-187
- 全文大小：376 K
Objective
The purpose of the study was to gauge the effectiveness of a low-cost, automated, two-way text-messaging system to distribute pregnancy and health-related information to low-income expectant women.Methods
In total, 20 participants were recruited for a one-month intervention involving the use of cell phones to text pregnancy-related questions to the system. Participants received either a direct answer or encouragement to seek answers from health care providers. Pre- and post-tests as well as a focus group at the end of the intervention were conducted.
Results
Participants uniformly found the system easy to use and accessible. Using the system increased levels of perceived pregnancy-related knowledge and facilitated patient-provider communication. Moreover, participants reported significant reductions in stress and depression and improved mental health after using the system. The system responded to most known questions quickly and accurately, and also encountered many new topics and linguistic expressions.
Conclusion
Overall, the data indicated that the text messaging system offered psychological benefits and promoted health communication by providing health information and encouraging patient-provider communication.
Practice implications
An automated, two-way text messaging system is an efficient, cost-effective, and acceptable method for providing health information to low-income pregnant women.