Messaging Intervention for Check-ups

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Emily Rosenzweig, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Emily Rosenzweig

Disqualifiers: Recent AWV, Scheduled AWV, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if personalized text and email messages (messaging intervention) can encourage more older adults to schedule and attend their free Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs). The study will compare the effects of sending two messages versus up to five messages against a group that receives no additional messages. It targets individuals aged 65 and older who have not yet used this service and have a phone number or email on file with the health system. The goal is to boost participation in preventive care, potentially improving overall health outcomes for older adults. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance preventive care strategies for older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on encouraging wellness visits through messaging, so it's unlikely to require changes to your medication.

What prior data suggests that this messaging intervention is safe?

Research has shown that using text messages and emails as reminders is generally safe. Studies have found these messages effectively help people remember their appointments without causing harm. A review of different studies found that text message reminders improve attendance at medical appointments, with no reports of negative effects. Ensuring these messages follow privacy rules, such as HIPAA, helps protect personal information. Overall, using text and email to remind people about healthcare visits is well-tolerated and safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different messaging strategies can improve check-up attendance. Unlike traditional reminders, which may involve a single notification or none at all, this trial investigates the impact of receiving either two or up to five messages, combining emails and text messages. By varying the frequency and format of communication, the trial aims to understand how tailored messaging can enhance patient engagement and adherence to regular health check-ups. This could lead to more effective ways to ensure people stay on top of their health appointments, potentially boosting overall health outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this messaging intervention is effective for increasing Medicare Annual Wellness Visits?

This trial will compare different messaging interventions to improve appointment attendance. Research has shown that text and email reminders greatly increase appointment attendance rates. Studies have found that text message reminders reduce missed appointments, making them a valuable tool in healthcare. They are simple and affordable, helping more people keep their medical appointments. In one study, reminders sent by text and email helped individuals adhere to their medical appointments and medication schedules. Overall, these reminders could help more older adults attend their Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, leading to better preventive care. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 65 or older who are part of the Ascension AWV Clinical Priority Goal measure but haven't attended their Medicare Annual Wellness Visits. Participants must have a mobile phone or email and consent to receive electronic communications from the health system.

Inclusion Criteria

I have agreed to get emails or texts from the health system.

I am 65 or older, have a phone or email with the health system, and am not following my wellness plan.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive personalized email and text messages to encourage scheduling and attending their Annual Wellness Visits

14 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for completion of Annual Wellness Visits and other preventive screenings

180 days

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Messaging Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests whether personalized email and text message 'nudges' can encourage Medicare beneficiaries to schedule and attend their Annual Wellness Visits, aiming to improve participation in preventive health services among older adults.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Up To Five Messages Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive up to five messages as part o the study -- two emails and three text messages.

Group II: Two Messages Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive two messages as part of the study -- one email and one text message.

Group III: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

This is a group will serve as usual care and have no intervention during the study period

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Emily Rosenzweig

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

52,400+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6112101/

Using text message reminders in health care services Text message reminders improve patient medical compliance and appointment attendance, and are easy to use, inexpensive, and increase medication ...

2. curogram.com curogram.com/blog/emr-integration/text-message-reminder-for-medical-appointments

How Text Message Reminders Reduce Medical ... Use text message reminders for medical appointments to reduce no-shows and boost revenue. Discover the best HIPAA-compliant solution for eCW ...

3. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.120.007015

Text Message Medication Adherence Reminders ... This study shows that we can identify patients with poor cardiovascular medication refill habits at 2 major hospital systems through daily refill data updates.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/323668678_Effectiveness_of_text_messages_calls_and_e-mail_on_adherence_to_medical_appointments_Review_of_systematic_reviews_and_meta-analysis

(PDF) Effectiveness of text messages, calls and e-mail on ... Short message service (SMS) and email reminders have the potential to improve adherence to appointments and medication taking. Within the UK ...

5. publichealth.jmir.org publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e57959

Effectiveness and Acceptability of Targeted Text Message ... Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of adding targeted SMS text message reminders to the standard procedure for ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8887955/

An Integrative Review of Text Message Reminders ... This integrative review establishes the use of text messages as appointment reminders for medical surveillance would be an effective method to improve ...

7. emitrr.com emitrr.com/blog/hipaa-compliant-appointment-reminder/

The Complete Guide to HIPAA-Compliant Appointment ... Learn how to send secure, HIPAA-compliant appointment reminders in this insightful guide and discover best practices for staying compliant.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782918300022

Using text message reminders in health care services Text messages appear to be an effective reminder mechanism to promote improved patient appointment and medical compliance.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4912908/

Automated Alerts and Reminders Targeting Patients This paper describes a literature review of automated alerts and reminders directed to patients, the technology used, and their efficacy.