Using SMS text messaging for teaching and data collection in the behavioral sciences

BACKGROUND Incomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the factors that contribute to HIV drug resistance, and it is a major problem for the public health system in controlling the HIV pandemic. There is emerging evidence that SMS can play an important role in health care delivery among patients with HIV on ART, especially in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to assess the impact of two-way and one-way SMS text messaging on adherence to HIV treatment. We hypothesized that sending weekly text messages through the one-way and two-way SMS text messaging approach will improve adherence to ART among patients with HIV and improve associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). METHODS A randomized controlled trial is being carried out among participants with HIV who have been on ART for at least one month from an accredited treatment center, namely the Buea Regional Hospital and Kumba District Hospital of South West Region, Cameroon. Participants with HIV, both male and female, aged 21 years and older make up a sample size of 207. The interventions involved the use of mobile phone text messages. Before commencing the intervention, a focus group discussion was carried out among the participants to understand their perception about the use of SMS-based interventions to improve adherence. A total of 246 participants were randomized to receive either a one-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient without recipient sending a reply) or two-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient and recipient sends a reply) or the control (no SMS, only standard care). Data on adherence and quality of life were collected at baseline and after 6 months and will be analyzed using SPSS version 21, while qualitative data will be analyzed using Atlas.ti 7.5. RESULTS Data collection began in September 2019 with focus group discussions and baseline data collection. After 1 month of baseline data collection, the intervention began in October 2019, and postintervention data were collected after 6 months (March 2020). At the end of the study, we will be able to understand the perception of patients toward SMS text messaging–based interventions and also assess the impact of one-way and two-way SMS text messages on treatment adherence among patients with HIV and on associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). CONCLUSIONS The impact of SMS text messaging varies across different settings. The results from this study will determine the perception of patients toward an SMS text messaging–based intervention and its impact on adherence to ART. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/16127

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Feasibility of Using Text Messaging to Gather Qualitative Diary Data from COPD Sufferers: An Ecological Momentary Assessment and BYOD Approach (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29756 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Stachel-Hilldorfer ◽

Ben Stachel-Hilldorfer

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Diary Data ◽

Depth Of Response ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Momentary Assessment ◽

Sms Text Messaging

BACKGROUND The ubiquitous use of SMS text messaging offers a viable data collection method that aligns well with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) coupled with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) approach. This unique conceptual model may extend to qualitative data collection through diary entries, which promises novel, in-the-moment insights for researchers interested in subjective patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using SMS text messaging to gather qualitative diary data from COPD sufferers, using EMA and participants’ mobile phones. It compares data gathered through this method with similar qualitative data gathered through email and with responses to quantitative, closed-ended categorical questions. METHODS This study involved 93 COPD-affected Alpha-1 sufferers who participated in a two-month long pilot intervention that used push messaging to respondents 2-to-3 times a day, either via SMS text messaging or email. In the first month of the study, respondents received 2 push messages a day urging them to answer closed-ended questions. The second month of the study integrated push messages which encouraged participants to engage in completion of daily, qualitative diary entries, in addition to the closed-ended questions. This research tracked and compared speed to answer and depth of responses between 69 (74%) individuals completing the push message requests through email and 24 (26%) who completed them through text messaging. It also compared completion rates of the diary entries to those of the closed-ended categorical questions. RESULTS Analysis of speed to answer, or the quickness in which respondents replied to the push messages, indicated that those answering by SMS text messaging were faster than those answering by email, both for categorical closed-ended questions and for diary questions. For the diary questions, specifically, those answering by SMS text messaging responded 6 hours and 29 minutes faster than those responding by email. We deemed this difference to be statistically significant. Depth of response, as measured by word count, varied between the two delivery methods as well, with those answering by email using, on average, 5.3 more words per entry than those answering by SMS text messaging (24.9 words per entry compared to 19.6 words per entry). Average compliance to the closed-ended questions over the study period was 94.4% (12,642/13,392) compared to 90.8% (2365/2604) for diary entries. This difference was also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS SMS text messaging is a viable option for qualitative diary data collection among chronically ill individuals using an EMA and BYOD methodology. However, researchers must weigh considerations of time versus response rate and depth of response when employing SMS text messaging for this methodological approach. Benefits include quick response times, which matches the EMA method of responding as near to a trigger or intervention as possible. Weaknesses include the fact that qualitative diary data collected by SMS text messaging have inherent limits regarding depth of response. This study also recognized a lower compliance rate for those participating by SMS text messaging than by email, even though rates for both were quite high.

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Texting From the Bush: Data Collection Using SMS Text Messaging in Areas of Low Network Coverage From Low-Literacy Providers

Journal of Health Communication ◽

10.1080/10810730.2015.1018607 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 1052-1059 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joseph E. Perosky ◽

Michelle L. Munro ◽

Jillian L. Kay ◽

Aloysius Nyanplu ◽

Garfee Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Network Coverage ◽

Low Literacy ◽

Sms Text Messaging

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One-Way and Two-Way Mobile Phone Text Messages for Treatment Adherence Among Patients With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/16127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e16127

Author(s):

Dickson Shey Nsagha ◽

Vincent Verla Siysi ◽

Same Ekobo ◽

Thomas Obinchemti Egbe ◽

Odette Dzemo Kibu

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Data Collection ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Text Message ◽

Text Messages ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact ◽

Sms Text Messaging

Background Incomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the factors that contribute to HIV drug resistance, and it is a major problem for the public health system in controlling the HIV pandemic. There is emerging evidence that SMS can play an important role in health care delivery among patients with HIV on ART, especially in resource-limited settings. Objective This paper aims to assess the impact of two-way and one-way SMS text messaging on adherence to HIV treatment. We hypothesized that sending weekly text messages through the one-way and two-way SMS text messaging approach will improve adherence to ART among patients with HIV and improve associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). Methods A randomized controlled trial is being carried out among participants with HIV who have been on ART for at least one month from an accredited treatment center, namely the Buea Regional Hospital and Kumba District Hospital of South West Region, Cameroon. Participants with HIV, both male and female, aged 21 years and older make up a sample size of 207. The interventions involved the use of mobile phone text messages. Before commencing the intervention, a focus group discussion was carried out among the participants to understand their perception about the use of SMS-based interventions to improve adherence. A total of 246 participants were randomized to receive either a one-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient without recipient sending a reply) or two-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient and recipient sends a reply) or the control (no SMS, only standard care). Data on adherence and quality of life were collected at baseline and after 6 months and will be analyzed using SPSS version 21, while qualitative data will be analyzed using Atlas.ti 7.5. Results Data collection began in September 2019 with focus group discussions and baseline data collection. After 1 month of baseline data collection, the intervention began in October 2019, and postintervention data were collected after 6 months (March 2020). At the end of the study, we will be able to understand the perception of patients toward SMS text messaging–based interventions and also assess the impact of one-way and two-way SMS text messages on treatment adherence among patients with HIV and on associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). Conclusions The impact of SMS text messaging varies across different settings. The results from this study will determine the perception of patients toward an SMS text messaging–based intervention and its impact on adherence to ART. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/16127

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Connecting Communities of Need with Public Health: Can SMS Text-Messaging Improve Outreach Communication?

10.1109/hicss.2008.99 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elizabeth Avery Gomez

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Sms Text Messaging

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Promoting Antenatal Care Attendance Through a Text Messaging Intervention in Samoa: Quasi-Experimental Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/15890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. e15890

Author(s):

Jessica L Watterson ◽

Diego Castaneda ◽

Caricia Catalani

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Text Messages ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Text Messaging Intervention ◽

Sms Text Messaging

Background Antenatal care (ANC) has the potential to improve maternal health, but it remains underutilized and unevenly implemented in many low- and middle-income countries. Increasingly, text messaging programs for pregnant women show evidence that they can improve the utilization of ANC during pregnancy; however, gaps remain regarding how implementation affects outcomes. Objective This study aimed to assess facilitators and barriers to implementation of an SMS text messaging intervention for pregnant women in Samoa and to assess its impact on ANC attendance. Methods This study took place in Upolu, Samoa, from March to August 2014 and employed a quasi-experimental design. Half (n=3) of the public antenatal clinics on the island offered adult pregnant women the SMS text messaging intervention, with 552 women registering for the messages. At the comparison clinics (n=3), 255 women registered and received usual care. The intervention consisted of unidirectional text messages containing health tips and appointment reminders. The outcome of interest was the number of attended antenatal visits. Implementation data were also collected through a survey of the participating midwives (n=7) and implementation notes. Data analysis included a comparison of women’s baseline characteristics between the two groups, followed by the use of negative binomial regressions to test for associations between participation in the intervention and increased ANC attendance, controlling for individual characteristics and accounting for the clustering of women within clinics. Results The comparison of ANC attendance rates found that women receiving the SMS text messaging intervention attended 15% fewer ANC visits than the comparison group (P=.004), controlling for individual characteristics and clustering. Data analysis of the implementation process suggests that barriers to successful implementation include women registering very late in pregnancy, sharing their phone with others, and inconsistent explanation of the intervention to women. Conclusions These results suggest that unidirectional text messages do not encourage, and might even discourage, ANC attendance in Samoa. Interpreted with other evidence in the literature, these results suggest that SMS text messaging interventions are more effective when they facilitate better communication between patients and health workers. This study is an important contribution to our understanding of when SMS text messaging interventions are and are not effective in improving maternal health care utilization.

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The Use of Text Messaging to Improve Clinical Engagement for Individuals With Psychosis: Systematic Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16993 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica D'Arcey ◽

Joanna Collaton ◽

Nicole Kozloff ◽

Aristotle N Voineskos ◽

Sean A Kidd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Text Messaging ◽

English Language ◽

Low Cost ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Practical Method ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Clinical Engagement ◽

Safety Considerations ◽

Year 2000 ◽

Sms Text Messaging

BACKGROUND Individuals experiencing psychosis are at a disproportionate risk for premature disengagement from clinical treatment. Barriers to clinical engagement typically result from funding constraints causing limited access to and flexibility in services. Digital strategies, such as SMS text messaging, offer a low-cost alternative to potentially improve engagement. However, little is known about the efficacy of SMS text messaging in psychosis. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to address this gap, providing insights into the relationship between SMS text messaging and clinical engagement in the treatment of psychosis. METHODS Studies examining SMS text messaging as an engagement strategy in the treatment of psychosis were reviewed. Included studies were published from the year 2000 onward in the English language, with no methodological restrictions, and were identified using 3 core databases and gray literature sources. RESULTS Of the 233 studies extracted, 15 were eligible for inclusion. Most studies demonstrated the positive effects of SMS text messaging on dimensions of engagement such as medication adherence, clinic attendance, and therapeutic alliance. Studies examining the feasibility of SMS text messaging interventions found that they are safe, easy to use, and positively received. CONCLUSIONS Overall, SMS text messaging is a low-cost, practical method of improving engagement in the treatment of psychosis, although efficacy may vary by symptomology and personal characteristics. Cost-effectiveness and safety considerations were not adequately examined in the studies included. Future studies should consider personalizing SMS text messaging interventions and include cost and safety analyses to appraise readiness for implementation. CLINICALTRIAL

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Registered reports: an early example and analysis

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6232 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e6232 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Richard Wiseman ◽

Caroline Watt ◽

Diana Kornbrot

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Peer Review ◽

Circumstantial Evidence ◽

Focused Attention ◽

Behavioral Sciences ◽

Positive Role ◽

Questionable Research Practices ◽

Methodological Rigor ◽

Replication Crisis ◽

Crisis In Psychology

The recent ‘replication crisis’ in psychology has focused attention on ways of increasing methodological rigor within the behavioral sciences. Part of this work has involved promoting ‘Registered Reports’, wherein journals peer review papers prior to data collection and publication. Although this approach is usually seen as a relatively recent development, we note that a prototype of this publishing model was initiated in the mid-1970s by parapsychologist Martin Johnson in the European Journal of Parapsychology (EJP). A retrospective and observational comparison of Registered and non-Registered Reports published in the EJP during a seventeen-year period provides circumstantial evidence to suggest that the approach helped to reduce questionable research practices. This paper aims both to bring Johnson’s pioneering work to a wider audience, and to investigate the positive role that Registered Reports may play in helping to promote higher methodological and statistical standards.

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Assessing DNA rates within first time psychiatric referrals and the extent to which DNA rates are reduced by an SMS reminder service

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.831 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (S1) ◽

pp. S315-S315

Author(s):

Henry Coates

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Waiting Time ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Waiting Times ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Medical Specialties ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

First Time ◽

Communication Preference

Aims1) To assess the average wait time for patients to be offered an appointment and to establish any correlations between longer waiting times and 'Did not attend (DNA)' rates 2) To assess the number of patients who have opted into the text message appointment reminder service and whether this had an effect on DNA rates.BackgroundResearch has indicated that the Did Not Attend (DNA) rate in Psychiatry is estimated at 20%, twice that of other medical specialties (1). With NHS Digital estimating that DNAs cost the NHS £1 Billion per annum, there has been much interest in reducing the rate of DNAs within Psychiatry (2). Findings have shown that short waiting times are associated with higher rates of attendance (3). In addition, poor appointment attendance within Psychiatry is also associated with increased disease severity and higher rates of hospital admission (4).MethodWe conducted retrospective data collection on 99 patients referred to Professor Oyebode between January 2018 and August 2019. Our data collection involved assessing time the referral was received, time to first appointment and the patient's communication preference (e.g. whether they opted in to the SMS alert service). All data collection was conducted through use of RIO and coded/ammonized into a Excel spreadsheet. No sampling methods were employed and our population only consisted of first-time referrals to Professor Oyebodes clinic.Result1) We found no correlation between a longer waiting time to first appointment and an increased DNA rate.2) All patient waiting times between 1st January - 31st August were within the maximum limit set by national guidelines3) Opting into the text messaging service remains severely low. Of the patients audited, 95% had not completed a communication preference form. Overall, it is still unclear whether the text messaging service has a positive impact on DNA rates.ConclusionOur data have shown no significant correlation between a longer waiting time and an increased DNA rate for first time Psychiatry appointments. Secondly, we have concluded that between the audited period, waiting times were still within the maximum 18 week wait set by the Mental Health Standards. Finally, we can conclude that uptake of the text messaging service remains very low at 4%. Due to a limited sample size of only 4 patients, it is still unclear from this audit whether opting into the text messaging services will have a positive decrease on the number of DNA's.

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Use of SMS text messaging to improve outpatient attendance

The Medical Journal of Australia ◽

10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb07085.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 183 (7) ◽

pp. 366-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

Sean R Downer ◽

John G Meara ◽

Annette C Da Costa

Keyword(s):

Text Messaging ◽

Sms Text Messaging

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