Abstract Title: Perceptions Toward Secure Text Messaging Immediately After Hospital Discharge: An Exploratory Study

Authors: Nicholas R. Piniella, OMS-III1,2, Michael Pardo, MD2, Theresa Fuller, MS2, Nathaniel Bessa, BS2, Anuj K Dalal, MD2,3

Institutional Affiliation: 1New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine; 2Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; 3Harvard Medical School

Background: Patients remain uniquely vulnerable after hospital discharge. Readmissions within seven days may be preventable, especially if patient-reported concerns are quickly addressed by their inpatient physicians. However, few data exist regarding patient and physician attitudes toward post-discharge communication. This exploratory study aims to assess patients’ and physicians’ perceptions regarding direct, secure text messaging during the early discharge period.

Methods: This IRB-approved, prospective, observational study was conducted on patients hospitalized on the general medicine service at a large academic hospital in Boston, MA from 04/01/2018 through 10/31/2018. Subjects were recruited from a convenience sample of English-speaking adult patients who owned a smartphone and were willing to participate in secure text messaging. Subjects were administered a 15-item survey assessing attitudes toward post-discharge communication. The patients’ inpatient physician was instructed on using a HIPAA-compliant mobile messaging application upon discharge; the message thread would terminate after seven days. Physicians were administered surveys assessing post-discharge communication upon patient discharge and after seven days. Data were collected using REDCap. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses.

Results: Of 36 patients approached, 29 eligible subjects completed the survey (19 female, 51.8y ± 16.6). Twenty-eight respondents (97%) indicated they were likely to contact their hospital team post-discharge: 27 (96%) by secure text message; 20 (71%) by calling the provider, 18 (64%) by email, 16 (57%) via patient portal, and 15 (54%) by calling the hospital. Of the 29 physicians surveyed, 12 (41%) completed both surveys. Two of nine respondents to the question (22%) believed their patient would want to contact them. Six (50%) physicians were willing to initiate secure messaging. Three (25%) physicians initiated secure messaging; of these, 2 (67%) physicians reported that the time involved was less than 15 minutes. All three physicians reported a favorable experience.

Conclusion: This exploratory study found that patients have a strong desire to text their hospital physicians immediately after discharge, but physicians may underestimate this interest. While the few physicians who participated seemed to favorably rate their experience, larger studies are required to substantiate this finding and thoroughly understand the perceived barriers to adoption.

Perceptions Toward Secure Text Messaging Immediately After Hospital Discharge: An Exploratory Study

Clinical and Translational Research | Other

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