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A study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that texts reduce the likelihood of readmissions. credit: Sophia Leon
A Penn study found that using automated texting to patients after hospitalization reduced the risk of readmissions and the use of emergency medical resources.
of JAMA Network Public Research A study conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine observed that patients were significantly less likely to need further care when automated texts were sent to post-hospital patients from their primary care office.
Conducted from January 27 to August 27, 2021, this cohort study used a difference-in-difference approach in two primary care practices in Philadelphia, with interventional practice patients up to 30 days post-discharge.
To mitigate selection bias, researchers used a therapeutic intent approach for analysis. They calculated that the patient was 55% less likely to have to stay in the hospital again within her next 30 days and 41% less likely to need some form of urgent care within the next month. Patients were also 33% less likely to need an emergency department.
Eric Bressman, the first author of this study, is a Fellow of the National Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
“In a fragmented healthcare setting, the relatively simple application of technology can help patients feel more connected to their primary care practice,” says Bressman. increase. pen of the day.
Bressman added that this connection is especially important as patients are recovering from serious illnesses.
“It’s a reminder that they have medical facilities that they can call on for help,” he said.
Anna U. Morgan, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and senior author of the study, had prior experience with automated texting in the medical field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan served as her medical director for COVID Watch. COVID Watch is a program that automatically texts her messages daily to see if a patient’s symptoms are getting worse.
“This study supports growing evidence that connecting with patients via text messages can improve their health and even save their lives,” Morgan said. pen medicine news.
