Some physicians are using their cellphones to encourage their patients to make healthier choices. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that patients at risk of heart disease who received positive texts from their physicians significantly increased their physical activity levels.
“There’s a really big opportunity here to use new technologies to further strengthen the clinician-patient relationship and help people lead healthier lives,” says study coauthor Dr. Seth Martin, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. “This is applicable well beyond the walls of a cardiology clinic.”
As cited in a recent Boston Globe article, some physicians also text their patients medication reminders and time sensitive messages that distract smokers from cravings as part of healthcare interventions.
“Digital communication is becoming a viable option for some physicians with concierge medicine practices who want to communicate to patients in new ways,” says Rob Lewis, Vice President, Physician Marketing Operations of Specialdocs Consultants.
Boston Globe: Click to read article.