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Sturgiss E, Advocat J, Barton C, Walker EN, Nielsen S, Wright A, Lam T, Gunatillaka N, Oad S, Wood C. Using Text Messaging Surveys in General Practice Research to Engage With People From Low-Income Groups: Multi-Methods Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e55354. [PMID: 39235843 DOI: 10.2196/55354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SMS text messages through mobile phones are a common means of interpersonal communication. SMS text message surveys are gaining traction in health care and research due to their feasibility and patient acceptability. However, challenges arise in implementing SMS text message surveys, especially when targeting marginalized populations, because of barriers to accessing phones and data as well as communication difficulties. In primary care, traditional surveys (paper-based and online) often face low response rates that are particularly pronounced among disadvantaged groups due to financial limitations, language barriers, and time constraints. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the potential of SMS text message-based patient recruitment and surveys within general practices situated in lower socioeconomic areas. This study was nested within the Reducing Alcohol-Harm in General Practice project that aimed to reduce alcohol-related harm through screening in Australian general practice. METHODS This study follows a 2-step SMS text message data collection process. An initial SMS text message with an online survey link was sent to patients, followed by subsequent surveys every 3 months for consenting participants. Interviews were conducted with the local primary health network organization staff, the participating practice staff, and the clinicians. The qualitative data were analyzed using constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS Out of 6 general practices, 4 were able to send SMS text messages to their patients. The initial SMS text message was sent to 8333 patients and 702 responses (8.2%) were received, most of which were not from a low-income group. This low initial response was in contrast to the improved response rate to the ongoing 3-month SMS text message surveys (55/107, 51.4% at 3 months; 29/67, 43.3% at 6 months; and 44/102, 43.1% at 9 months). We interviewed 4 general practitioners, 4 nurses, and 4 administrative staff from 5 of the different practices. Qualitative data uncovered barriers to engaging marginalized groups including limited smartphone access, limited financial capacity (telephone, internet, and Wi-Fi credit), language barriers, literacy issues, mental health conditions, and physical limitations such as manual dexterity and vision issues. Practice managers and clinicians suggested strategies to overcome these barriers, including using paper-based surveys in trusted spaces, offering assistance during survey completion, and offering honoraria to support participation. CONCLUSIONS While SMS text message surveys for primary care research may be useful for the broader population, additional efforts are required to ensure the representation and involvement of marginalized groups. More intensive methods such as in-person data collection may be more appropriate to capture the voice of low-income groups in primary care research. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0037.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sturgiss
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Jenny Advocat
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Christopher Barton
- Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma N Walker
- Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Annemarie Wright
- Department of Health, Victorian State Government, Melbourne, Australia
- Australia and Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tina Lam
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nilakshi Gunatillaka
- EPIC Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Symrin Oad
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Wong AWK, Tomazin R, Walker K, Heeb Desai R, Hollingsworth H, Newland PK, Morgan KA. Text messaging intervention for fatigue self-management in people with stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Disabil Health J 2024; 17:101549. [PMID: 38001005 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatigue negatively impacts the function and quality of life of people with disabilities (PwD). Mobile health (mHealth) platforms are recognized as effective and accessible approaches to delivering health interventions and may show higher satisfaction by tailoring the information toward personalized needs for PwD. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and participant engagement with a Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging intervention for fatigue self-management and to explore the pre- and post-score health changes in PwD. METHODS A total of 27 PwD (multiple sclerosis = 9, spinal cord injury = 9, or stroke = 9) experiencing fatigue in their daily lives participated in a 12-week self-management text messaging intervention. Participants completed a demographic survey and health outcome measures, including patient activation, self-efficacy for managing symptoms, fatigue, sleep, and satisfaction with participation in social roles before and after the intervention. Participants also completed a client satisfaction questionnaire after the intervention. We also tracked the program retention and SMS response rates over the 12-week intervention period. RESULTS Twenty-five participants completed the entire intervention (93% retention rate), and the overall SMS response rate was 84.67%, indicating high acceptability and adherence to the intervention. The mean satisfaction score was 3.18, indicating high satisfaction with the intervention. Despite finding a negligible effect on patient activation, we found a small intervention effect on self-efficacy for managing symptoms (η2 = 0.04) and moderate effects on fatigue (η2 = 0.06-0.12), sleep (η2 = 0.11), and satisfaction with participation in social roles (η2 = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS This study provides initial feasibility and health outcome change evidence to support an SMS text messaging intervention to manage fatigue in PwD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W K Wong
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rachel Tomazin
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kim Walker
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel Heeb Desai
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Holly Hollingsworth
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Pamela K Newland
- Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Kerri A Morgan
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Doumen M, De Cock D, Van Lierde C, Betrains A, Pazmino S, Bertrand D, Westhovens R, Verschueren P. Engagement and attrition with eHealth tools for remote monitoring in chronic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. RMD Open 2022; 8:e002625. [PMID: 36302561 PMCID: PMC9621170 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although eHealth tools are potentially useful for remote disease monitoring, barriers include concerns of low engagement and high attrition. We aimed to summarise evidence on patients' engagement and attrition with eHealth tools for remotely monitoring disease activity/impact in chronic arthritis. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted for original articles and abstracts published before September 2022. Eligible studies reported quantitative measures of patients' engagement with eHealth instruments used for remote monitoring in chronic arthritis. Engagement rates were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Of 8246 references, 45 studies were included: 23 using smartphone applications, 13 evaluating wearable activity trackers, 7 using personal digital assistants, 6 including web-based platforms and 2 using short message service. Wearable-based studies mostly reported engagement as the proportion of days the tracker was worn (70% pooled across 6 studies). For other eHealth tools, engagement was mostly reported as completion rates for remote patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The pooled completion rate was 80%, although between-study heterogeneity was high (I2 93%) with significant differences between eHealth tools and frequency of PRO-collection. Engagement significantly decreased with longer study duration, but attrition varied across studies (0%-89%). Several predictors of higher engagement were reported. Data on the influence of PRO-reporting frequency were conflicting. CONCLUSION Generally high patient engagement was reported with eHealth tools for remote monitoring in chronic arthritis. However, we found considerable between-study heterogeneity and a relative lack of real-world data. Future studies should use standardised measures of engagement, preferably assessed in a daily practice setting. TRIAL REGISTERATION NUMBER The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021267936).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Doumen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diederik De Cock
- Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Caroline Van Lierde
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Albrecht Betrains
- General Internal Medicine, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofia Pazmino
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Delphine Bertrand
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - René Westhovens
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Verschueren
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium
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Chan L, El-Haddad N, Freeman B, O'Hara BJ, Woodland L, Harris-Roxas B. A Case Study of an SMS Text Message Community Panel Survey and Its Potential for Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e28929. [PMID: 34612824 PMCID: PMC8568043 DOI: 10.2196/28929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic many traditional methods of data collection, such as intercept surveys or focus groups, are not feasible. This paper proposes that establishing community panels through SMS text messages may be a useful method during the pandemic, by describing a case study of how an innovative SMS text message community panel was used for the "Shisha No Thanks" project to collect data from young adults of Arabic-speaking background about their attitudes on the harms of waterpipe smoking. Participants were asked to complete an initial recruitment survey, and then subsequently sent 1 survey question per week. The study recruited 133 participants to the SMS text message community panel and the mean response rate for each question was 73.0% (97.1/133) (range 76/133 [57.1%] to 112/133 [84.2%]). The SMS text message community panel approach is not suited for all populations, nor for all types of inquiry, particularly due to limitations of the type of responses that it allows and the required access to mobile devices. However, it is a rapid method for data collection, and therefore during the COVID-19 pandemic, it can provide service providers and policymakers with timely information to inform public health responses. In addition, this method negates the need for in-person interactions and allows for longitudinal data collection. It may be useful in supplementing other community needs assessment activities, and may be particularly relevant for people who are considered to be more difficult to reach, particularly young people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and other groups that might otherwise be missed by traditional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Chan
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Nouhad El-Haddad
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Becky Freeman
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Blythe J O'Hara
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Lisa Woodland
- Population and Community Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Burnand HG, McMahon SE, Sayers A, Tshengu T, Gibson N, Blom AW, Whitehouse MR, Wylde V. The EQ-5D-3L administered by text message compared to the paper version for hard-to-reach populations in a rural South African trauma setting: a measurement equivalence study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2021; 141:947-957. [PMID: 32785761 PMCID: PMC8139899 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-020-03574-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Administering patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by text message may improve response rate in hard-to-reach populations. This study explored cultural acceptability of PROMs and compared measurement equivalence of the EQ-5D-3L administered on paper and by text message in a rural South African setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants with upper or lower limb orthopaedic pathology were recruited. The EQ-5D was administered first on paper and then by text message after 24 h and 7 days. Differences in mean scores for paper and text message versions of the EQ-5D were evaluated. Test-retest reliability between text message versions was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS 147 participants completed a paper EQ-5D. Response rates were 67% at 24 h and 58% at 7 days. There were no differences in means between paper and text message responses for the EQ-5D Index (p = 0.95) or EQ-5D VAS (p = 0.26). There was acceptable agreement between the paper and 24-h text message EQ-5D Index (0.84; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.78-0.89) and EQ-5D VAS (0.73; 95% CI 0.64-0.82) and acceptable agreement between the 24-h and 7-day text message EQ-Index (0.72; CI 0.62-0.82) and EQ-VAS (0.72; CI 0.62-0.82). Non-responder traits were increasing age, Xhosa as first language and lower educational levels. CONCLUSIONS Text messaging is equivalent to paper-based measurement of EQ-5D in this setting and is thus a viable tool for responders. Non-responders had similar socioeconomic characteristics and attrition rates to traditional modes of administration. The EQ-5D by text message offers potential clinical and research uses in hard-to-reach populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry G Burnand
- Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Brunel Building, Bristol, UK.
- Department of Orthopaedics, East London Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, East London, Republic of South Africa.
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
| | - Samuel E McMahon
- Department of Orthopaedics, East London Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, East London, Republic of South Africa
- Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Adrian Sayers
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Tembisa Tshengu
- Department of Orthopaedics, East London Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, East London, Republic of South Africa
| | - Norrie Gibson
- Department of Orthopaedics, East London Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, East London, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ashley W Blom
- Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Brunel Building, Bristol, UK
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael R Whitehouse
- Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Brunel Building, Bristol, UK
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Vikki Wylde
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Glass NE, Labrique A, Davoust M, Ssewamala FM, Linnemayr S, Johnson MW. Feasibility of Assessing Economic and Sexual Risk Behaviors Using Text Message Surveys in African-American Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness and Unemployment: Single-Group Study. JMIR Form Res 2020; 4:e14833. [PMID: 32706656 PMCID: PMC7395246 DOI: 10.2196/14833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Text messages offer the potential to better evaluate HIV behavioral interventions using repeated longitudinal measures at a lower cost and research burden. However, they have been underused in US minority settings. Objective This study aims to examine the feasibility of assessing economic and sexual risk behaviors using text message surveys. Methods We conducted a single-group study with 17 African-American young adults, aged 18-24 years, who were economically disadvantaged and reported prior unprotected sex. Participants received a text message survey once each week for 5 weeks. The survey contained 14 questions with yes-no and numeric responses on sexual risk behaviors (ie, condomless sex, sex while high or drunk, and sex exchange) and economic behaviors (ie, income, employment, and money spent on HIV services or products). Feasibility measures were the number of participants who responded to the survey in a given week, the number of questions to which a participant responded in each survey, and the number of hours spent from sending a survey to participants to receiving their response in a given week. One discussion group was used to obtain feedback. Results Overall, 65% (n=11/17) of the participants responded to at least one text message survey compared with 35% (n=6/17) of the participants who did not respond. The majority (n=7/11, 64%) of the responders were women. The majority (n=4/6, 67%) of nonresponders were men. An average of 7.6 participants (69%) responded in a given week. Response rates among ever responders ranged from 64% to 82% across the study period. The mean number of questions answered each week was 12.6 (SD 2.7; 90% of all questions), ranging from 72% to 100%. An average of 6.4 participants (84%) answered all 14 text message questions in a given week, ranging from 57% to 100%. Participants responded approximately 8.7 hours (SD 10.3) after receiving the survey. Participants were more likely to answer questions related to employment, condomless sex, and discussions with sex partners. Nonresponse or skip was more often used for questions at the end of the survey relating to sex exchange and money spent on HIV prevention services or products. Strengths of the text message survey were convenience, readability, short completion time, having repeated measures over time, and having incentives. Conclusions Longitudinal text message surveys may be a valuable tool for assessing HIV-related economic and sexual risk behaviors. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03237871; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03237871
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nancy E Glass
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alain Labrique
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Melissa Davoust
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- The Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | | | - Matthew W Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Bethell GS, Chhabra S, Shalaby MS, Corbett H, Kenny SE, Lall A, Taghizadeh A, Lee B, Driver C, Keene D, Marshall D, Murphy F, McAndrew F, Nicholls G, Chandran H, Steinbrecher H, Evans K, McCarthy L, Steven M, Shenoy M, Farrugia MK, Woodward M, Flett M, Gopal M, Godbole P, Daniel R, Romero RM, Wragg R, Manoharan S, Griffin S, O'Toole S, Abbas T, Kalidasan V. Parental decisional satisfaction after hypospadias repair in the United Kingdom. J Pediatr Urol 2020; 16:164.e1-164.e7. [PMID: 32147349 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In hypospadias, the aim of surgical treatment is to achieve both desirable functional and cosmetic outcomes; however, complications following surgery are common and 18% of boys require re-operation. In mild degrees of hypospadias, repair may be offered entirely to improve cosmesis, meaning parents should be fully informed of this and the potential for complications, during the consent process. Parents' decision-making may be aided by making them aware of how others in a similar position have felt about the decision that they made for their child. One method of measuring parental satisfaction is decisional regret (DR). OBJECTIVES To assess parental satisfaction following hypospadias surgery in the United Kingdom by assessing DR and to determine the feasibility of obtaining meaningful data via a mobile phone survey. STUDY DESIGN The National Outcomes Audit in Hypospadias database was commissioned by the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons to capture clinical information from hypospadias repairs. Following ethical approval (16/NW/0819), a text message was sent to mobile numbers in the database inviting participation in a questionnaire incorporating the validated DR scale (DRS). The primary outcome measure was mean DRS score, which was correlated with clinical information, a score of zero indicated no regret and 100 indicated maximum regret. RESULTS There were 340 (37%) responses. The median age at the primary procedure was 16 (interquartile range 13-20) months. No DR (score = 0) was detected in 186 (55% [95%CI 49-60]) respondents; however, moderate-to-severe DR (score = 26-100) was seen in 21 (6.2% [95%CI 3.6-8.7]) respondents. On multivariate analysis, a distal meatus, a small glans and developing complications requiring repeat surgery were all associated with increased levels of regret (Table). There was no association between DR and cases performed per surgeon. DISCUSSION Around half of respondents demonstrated no DR and postoperative complications requiring surgery were associated with the highest levels of DR, which is similar to a Canadian study. Lorenzo et al. however found that DR was associated with circumcision, which was undertaken in all boys; however, in this UK study, around a third of boys were circumcised and regret levels between those circumcised and those not circumcised were similar. The limitations of this work include the following: surgeons submitting their own data on complications and there is potential of selection bias between respondents and non-respondents as with any survey. CONCLUSIONS Data from this study can be used to improve pre-operative counselling during the consent process. Smart mobile phone technology can be used successfully to distribute and collect parent-reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Bethell
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK; University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 3BX, UK
| | - S Chhabra
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK; University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 3BX, UK
| | - M S Shalaby
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, BS2 8BJ, UK
| | - H Corbett
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - S E Kenny
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK; University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 3BX, UK.
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Feasibility of Using Short Message Service (SMS) to Collect Outcome Data in an Australian Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Service. ADDICTIVE DISORDERS & THEIR TREATMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/adt.0000000000000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Molina Recio G, García-Hernández L, Molina Luque R, Salas-Morera L. The role of interdisciplinary research team in the impact of health apps in health and computer science publications: a systematic review. Biomed Eng Online 2016; 15 Suppl 1:77. [PMID: 27454164 PMCID: PMC4959385 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0185-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have estimated the potential economic and social impact of the mHealth development. Considering the latest study by Institute for Healthcare Informatics, more than 165.000 apps of health and medicine are offered including all the stores from different platforms. Thus, the global mHealth market was an estimated $10.5 billion in 2014 and is expected to grow 33.5 percent annually between 2015 and 2020s. In fact, apps of Health have become the third-fastest growing category, only after games and utilities. METHODS This study aims to identify, study and evaluate the role of interdisciplinary research teams in the development of articles and applications in the field of mHealth. It also aims to evaluate the impact that the development of mHealth has had on the health and computer science field, through the study of publications in specific databases for each area which have been published until nowadays. RESULTS Interdisciplinary nature is strongly connected to the scientific quality of the journal in which the work is published. This way, there are significant differences in those works that are made up by an interdisciplinary research team because of they achieve to publish in journals with higher quartiles. There are already studies that warn of methodological deficits in some studies in mHealth, low accuracy and no reproducibility. Studies of low precision and poor reproducibility, coupled with the low evidence, provide low degrees of recommendation of the interventions targeted and therefore low applicability. CONCLUSIONS From the evidence of this study, working in interdisciplinary groups from different areas greatly enhances the quality of research work as well as the quality of the publications derived from its results.
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The Technological Growth in eHealth Services. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2015; 2015:894171. [PMID: 26146515 PMCID: PMC4469784 DOI: 10.1155/2015/894171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The infusion of information communication technology (ICT) into health services is emerging as an active area of research. It has several advantages but perhaps the most important one is providing medical benefits to one and all irrespective of geographic boundaries in a cost effective manner, providing global expertise and holistic services, in a time bound manner. This paper provides a systematic review of technological growth in eHealth services. The present study reviews and analyzes the role of four important technologies, namely, satellite, internet, mobile, and cloud for providing health services.
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Richmond SJ, Keding A, Hover M, Gabe R, Cross B, Torgerson D, MacPherson H. Feasibility, acceptability and validity of SMS text messaging for measuring change in depression during a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:68. [PMID: 25886377 PMCID: PMC4391083 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0456-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite widespread popularity, text messaging has rarely been used for data collection in clinical research. This paper reports on the development, feasibility, acceptability, validity, and discriminant utility of a single item depression rating scale, delivered weekly via an automated SMS system, as part of a large randomised controlled trial. METHODS 755 depressed patients (BDI-II score ≥20) were recruited from primary care into a randomised trial of acupuncture versus counselling or usual care, and invited to opt into a repeated-measures text messaging sub-study. Two weeks following random allocation, trial participants were sent a weekly text message for 15 weeks. Texts were a single question asking, on a scale from 1 to 9, the extent to which they felt depressed. Feasibility and acceptability of the automated SMS system were evaluated according to cost, ease of implementation, proportion consenting, response rates, and qualitative feedback. Concurrent validity was estimated by correlating SMS responses with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). SMS responses were compared between groups over time to explore treatment effects. RESULTS 527 (69.8%) trial participants consented to the texting sub-study, of whom 498 (94.5%) responded to at least one message. Participants provided a valid response to an average of 12.5 messages. Invalid responses accounted for 1.1% of texts. The automated SMS system was quick to set-up, inexpensive, and well received. Comparison of PHQ-9 and SMS responses at 3 months demonstrated a moderate to high degree of agreement (Kendall's tau-b = 0.57, p < 0.0001, n = 220). SMS depression scores over the 15 weeks differed significantly between trial arms (p = 0.007), with participants allocated to the acupuncture and counselling arms reporting improved depression outcomes compared to usual GP care alone, which reached statistical significance ten weeks after randomisation. Overall, the single item SMS scale also appeared more responsive to changes in depression, resulting from treatment, than the PHQ-9. CONCLUSIONS Automated SMS systems offer a feasible and acceptable means of monitoring depression within clinical research. This study provides clear evidence to support the regular use of a simple SMS scale as a sensitive and valid outcome measure of depression within future randomised controlled trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials - ISRCTN63787732 http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN63787732/ACUDEP Date of registration: 15/12/2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart J Richmond
- Sydera Research Associates, 34 Shipman Road, Market Weighton, York, YO43 3RB, UK.
| | - Ada Keding
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Magdalene Hover
- Department of Paediatrics, Hull and East Yorskshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JZ, UK.
| | - Rhian Gabe
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Ben Cross
- Sydera Research Associates, 34 Shipman Road, Market Weighton, York, YO43 3RB, UK.
| | - David Torgerson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Hugh MacPherson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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Guimarães DS, Soares EJO, Júnior GF, Medeiros DD. Attributes and circumstances that induce inappropriate health services demand: a study of the health sector in Brazil. BMC Health Serv Res 2015; 15:65. [PMID: 25885287 PMCID: PMC4339295 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0728-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current economic and social context has required health systems to provide top quality services and to be efficient in controlling costs. An obstacle to achieve these goals is the inappropriate health services demand. This study aims to present these inappropriate health service demand determinants from data on telephone calls made to a medical advice call centre. Methods This study used a Brazilian medical advice call centre data sample in the period of November and December 2012 (n = 19690), which supplied data on the user’s initial request, the physician’s recommendation, information on the patient and circumstances (the day and time of the day of the telephone call). The convergence between user intent and medical recommendation consists in adequate demand; otherwise the divergence consists in an inadequate one. In this way, using a logistic regression model, the critical factors that determine inappropriate health services request could be estimated. Results In general, the user’s initial intent is the most critical for the inappropriate health system demand occurrence: the greater the complexity of the patient’s initial intent, the greater the chance the intent is wrong: (OR: 1.160; 95% CI: 1.113-1.210). With regard to the social characteristics, men are more likely to make inappropriate requests (OR: 1.102; 95% CI: 1038-1169); as well as youngsters are more likely to use the system incorrectly (OR = .993; 95% CI: .992 - .994). Regarding the circumstances (day and time of the call), requests in the final hours of the day and on days close to the weekend are more likely to be the inappropriate ones (OR: 1.082 for each six hour increase; 95% CI: 1.049-1.116) and weekday (OR: 1.017 for each day increase; 95% CI: 1.002-1.032). Conclusions The critical profile for the inappropriate use occurrence consists of males and youngsters, who use the health service in the final hours of the day and at weekends, and mainly want to use more complex services. A practical implication of this research is to provide health systems managers, supporting information to the most critical users in order to assist them in making a decision when asking for health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djalma S Guimarães
- Production Engineering Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. .,Logistics Departament, University of Pernambuco, Nazaré da Mata, Brasil.
| | - Eduardo J O Soares
- Production Engineering Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. .,Production Engineering Department, University of the State of Mato Grosso, Barra do Bugres, Brazil.
| | - Gileno Ferraz Júnior
- Production Engineering Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
| | - Denise D Medeiros
- Production Engineering Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Anderson N, Morrison C, Griffin J, Reiter W, Baldwin LM, Edwards K. Governance strategies for conducting text messaging interventions in clinical research. Clin Transl Sci 2014; 7:127-31. [PMID: 24774328 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in medical text messaging interventions being used to achieve positive patient outcomes across a range of clinical research and health practice environments. Short messaging service (SMS) is a low-cost tool that provides an easy communication route to engage potentially broad populations through text messaging, and is part of the growing social trend toward increased adoption of personal communication technologies by patient populations. Testing the effectiveness and impact of various communication strategies requires navigation of a complex web of clinical and research regulations and oversight mechanisms. We describe a case study of the implementation of SMS to provide bidirectional communications between physicians and patients involved in routine care reminders to illustrate the review processes and governance structures needed. By mapping the regulatory and approval processes required to manage and steward a research study across clinical and community boundaries, we provide a guide for other translational health researchers who may utilize similar kinds of personally owned technology interventions as research tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Anderson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
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Udtha M, Nomie K, Yu E, Sanner J. Novel and emerging strategies for longitudinal data collection. J Nurs Scholarsh 2014; 47:152-60. [PMID: 25490868 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe novel and emerging strategies practiced globally in research to improve longitudinal data collection. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCT In research studies, numerous strategies such as telephone interviews, postal mailing, online questionnaires, and electronic mail are traditionally utilized in longitudinal data collection. However, due to technological advances, novel and emerging strategies have been applied to longitudinal data collection, such as two-way short message service, smartphone applications (or "apps"), retrieval capabilities applied to the electronic medical record, and an adapted cloud interface. In this review, traditional longitudinal data collection strategies are briefly described, emerging and novel strategies are detailed and explored, and information regarding the impact of novel methods on participant response rates, the timeliness of participant responses, and cost is provided. We further discuss how these novel and emerging strategies affect longitudinal data collection and advance research, specifically nursing research. CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that the novel and emerging longitudinal data collection strategies discussed in this review are valuable approaches to consider. These strategies facilitate collecting longitudinal research data to better understand a variety of health-related conditions. Future studies, including nursing research, should consider using novel and emerging strategies to advance longitudinal data collection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A better understanding of novel and emerging longitudinal data collection strategies will ultimately improve longitudinal data collection as well as foster research efforts. Nurse researchers, along with all researchers, must be aware of and consider implementing novel and emerging strategies to ensure future healthcare research success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malini Udtha
- Lab and Research Coordinator of Nursing Systems, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing, Houston, TX, USA
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