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Mobile telephone short message service reminders can reduce nonattendance in physical therapy outpatient clinics: A randomized controlled trial
Citation
Taylor, NF and Bottrell, J and Lawler, K and Benjamin, D, Mobile telephone short message service reminders can reduce nonattendance in physical therapy outpatient clinics: A randomized controlled trial, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93, (1) pp. 21-26. ISSN 0003-9993 (2012) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© 2012 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.007
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether short message service (SMS) reminders reduce nonattendance in physical therapy outpatient clinics.
Design: Prospective single-blinded randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Two physical therapy outpatient departments in metropolitan acute public hospitals.
Participants: Participants with an appointment in a physical therapy outpatient clinic and who provided a contact mobile telephone number were included. Participants were excluded if their appointment was scheduled for the same day on which they made the appointment.
Intervention: Participants allocated to the intervention group received an SMS reminder before their next appointment; participants allocated to the control group did not receive a reminder.
Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was rate of nonattendance without cancellation. Secondary outcomes were cancellation and attendance rates and exploration of other factors associated with nonattendance.
Results: Patients (N = 679) were allocated to receive either an SMS reminder (N = 342) or no reminder (N = 337). The nonattendance rate for patients who did not receive a reminder (16%) was more than nonattendance for patients receiving the SMS reminder (11%; odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.51; number needed to treat, 19; 95% CI, 9-275). There were no differences in cancellation or attendance rates between groups. Exploration of other factors found that patients who were younger with a neck and trunk musculoskeletal or a neuromuscular disorder and who were scheduled to have an initial appointment or an appointment on a Monday or Friday were significantly predictive of increased nonattendance.
Conclusions: SMS reminders can reduce nonattendance in physical therapy outpatient clinics.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | appointments and schedules, musculoskeletal system, patient appointment, physical therapy, rehabilitation |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Allied health and rehabilitation science |
Research Field: | Physiotherapy |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Provision of health and support services |
Objective Field: | Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) |
UTAS Author: | Lawler, K (Dr Katherine Lawler) |
ID Code: | 133308 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 36 |
Deposited By: | Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2019-06-22 |
Last Modified: | 2019-08-15 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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