Sun Srn Txts G8 Way to MSG Health, Sez Center for Connected Health

A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, a
division of Partners HealthCare, found that text messaging is an
innovative, low-cost and effective way to improve the daily use of
sunscreen, and this technology may have important implications for
larger-scale public health initiatives.

Study participants who received
text-message reminders on their cell phones were nearly twice as
adherent to applying sunscreen compared with participants who did not
receive reminders. This study was the lead paper in the November issue
of Archives of Dermatology (Volume 145, No. 11, November 2009), and was
also featured in the Journal's Editorial, "Adherence, the Fourth
Dimension in the Geometry of Dermatological Treatment."

Seventy
participants completed the 6-week randomized, controlled trial, with
half receiving daily text message reminders; the other half did not
receive reminders. The 35 participants receiving text message reminders
had a daily adherence rate of 56.1%, while the 35 study subjects who
did not receive reminders had an adherence rate of 30.0% (p<.001).
Adherence between the two groups were similar at week 1 of the study,
but differed significantly for the remainder of the trial (p=.001).

“These
data clearly demonstrate that a simple daily reminder could maintain
adherence to sunscreen application and encourage sun-protective
behavior that could reduce the risk of skin cancer,” said April W.
Armstrong, M.D., the study’s lead author. “It is estimated that only
20% of U.S. adults use sunscreen regularly. Because of the enormous
number of people at risk for skin cancer, improving adherence to
sunscreen application is essential. Text messaging has demonstrated to
be a low-cost and effective way of encouraging positive sun protective
behavior.”

Among participants receiving text-message
reminders, 69% reported that they would like to continue using the
service as a way of improving adherence, and 89% reported that they
would recommend the text-messaging reminder system to others.

“A
number of studies have now concluded that the use of text messaging
reminders in health care can improve outpatient clinic attendance,
encourage weight loss, provide support to diabetic patients and can
promote important behavior changes,” added Joseph C. Kvedar, M.D.,
Director, Center for Connected Health. “Text messaging may be an
effective reminder tool to promote preventative health behaviors or
help individuals adhere to medication regimens.”

About the Center for Connected Health

The
Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, is
creating effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to
deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical
setting. Our programs use a combination of remote-monitoring
technology, sensors, and online communications and intelligence to
improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. The Center
also offers expert online second opinions, enhanced medical education
and training, and engages in innovative research to discover new
pathways to better care, including the use of virtual worlds and online
coaching. Visit www.connected-health.org.

Boston-based
Partners HealthCare is an integrated health system founded in 1994 by
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. In
addition to its two academic medical centers, the Partners system also
includes community and specialty hospitals, community health centers, a
physician network, home health and long-term care services, and other
health-related entities. Partners is one of the nation’s leading
biomedical research organizations and a principal teaching affiliate of
Harvard Medical School. Partners is a non-profit organization. Visit
www.partners.org.