| Summary: | Introduction
Chronic diseases are rapidly escalating and place tremendous burden on health care systems in the developing world. The effectiveness of post-physical examination communication with patients is as crucial as their physical observations. Mobile phones, as one of the innovative technological intervention in the 21st century, have become part of people’s lives. Their widespread availability has given them the potential to revolutionise health care communication and improve health services.
The purpose of the present research report was to explore the feasibility of using text messages (SMS) by patients in managing their chronic illnesses in a rural setting in three Bushbuckridge clinics.
Methodology
A cross sectional descriptive study using quantitative methodology was carried out at three intervention clinics, where the electronic Patient Health Information System (PatHIS) was to be installed in the Bushbuck Area, Mpumalanga. A questionnaire was administered by the researcher at a specific clinic situated in rural setting to solicit information from participants. The researcher also used the method of observation, that is, an SMS was sent by the researcher to the participants with cellphones during the interview. Participants were requested to open and read the message or open their phonebook while the researcher was observing them.
Results
A total of 74 participants were interviewed. 74% (55/74) of participants owned cellphones and indicated that they were for personal use. Seventy-eight percent (15/19) of participants who did not own cellphones had access to other people’s cellphones, and 87 % (13/15) indicated that they did not mind if other people received SMS on their behalf.
Only 25% of cellphone owners were able to demonstrate how they opened their SMS and read it. Ninety-three percent of cellphone owners who were unable to read their own SMS indicated that their messages were read by either their children and/or grand children. Eighty-eight percent (62/70) of the participants indicated that they would prefer to receive SMS in their own home language.
Ninety-one percent (68/70) indicated that they would like to receive SMS from the clinic in future. Seventy Percent of the participants would prefer to receive appointment reminders via SMS. Fifteen Percent and 13 % would like to receive test results and health information via SMS respectively. Participants also indicated that they would like to be informed about the unavailability of medication at the clinic pharmacy.
Discussion
The study indicated that the use of SMS in the management of chronic diseases is feasible based on the number of participants who would like to receive SMSes from the clinic. However participants were specific in terms of the type of text messages they preferred to, that is, they preferred to receive appointment reminders via SMS. It is recommended that before such an intervention is implemented a balance between privacy, confidentiality as well as comprehension of test messages be established. It is also crucial to focus on patients’ preferences in terms of the type of text messages, as well as the language used. This will determine whether patients accept the use of text messages in managing their chronic illnesses.
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