Real-Time Health Management Through Text Messaging

When Dr. Jennifer Dyer, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University, discovered that 2.5 billion text messages are sent each day in the US and that calling plans of roughly 75 percent of teens have unlimited text messaging, she decided to try to harness the power of text messaging for her teen diabetics.

According to an article in The Suncoast News, Dr. Dyer, who is also an endocrinologist at the Nationwide Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio, conducted a study on the effects of weekly customized text messages to her teen diabetics.

Dyer found teens who received the text messages showed better adherence to medication schedules and other treatment guidelines and improved blood-sugar levels.  "If adolescent diabetes patients do not adhere to their treatment and medication plan, it can result in difficulty concentrating in school or functioning throughout the day," said Dyer.

The messages Dyer sent to teen diabetes patients were a combination of personalized questions and reminders specific to diabetes adherence activities in addition to friendly, supportive messages.

"This form of communication allows for real-time health management which is extremely valuable for patients that suffer from a chronic illness like diabetes," said Dyer, a principal investigator in the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

What a great way to stay in touch with patients and take patient care to the next level.  Using text messaging as an SOP (standard operating procedure) for real-time health management creates new BFFs (best friends forever) and allows the health care industry a new opportunity to reach out and touch someone!

Jean Landon

Marketing Coordinator

Petersen Medical