Sex | |
Male | 12 (48) |
Female | 13 (52) |
|
Advantages to text messaging | |
Time management | 20 (80) |
Efficiency | 3 (12) |
Out-of-hours contact | 1 (4) |
Privacy | 1 (4) |
|
Disadvantages to text messaging | |
Confidentiality | 8 (32) |
Text message failure | 5 (20) |
Patient changing mobile number | 2 (8) |
Patient misinterpreting information | 2 (8) |
Sensitivity of certain results | 2 (8) |
Limited information | 2 (8) |
Cost | 1 (4) |
Patient does not respond | 1 (4) |
Patient anxiety | 1 (4) |
Patient does not read text message | 1 (4) |
|
Do you obtain consent from patients for receiving text messages? | |
Yes | 23 (92) |
No | 2 (8) |
|
Do you obtain consent specifically to receive medically sensitive information? | |
Yes | 13 (52) |
No | 12 (48) |
|
Do you send text messages to patients aged<16 years (to child’s private phone)? | |
Yes | 0 |
No | 25 (100) |
|
Do you send text messages to patients aged 16–17 years (to young person’s private telephone)? | |
Yes | 16 (64) |
No | 7 (28) |
Unsure | 2 (8) |
|
Do you check mobile phone numbers periodically? | |
Yes | 24 (96) |
No | 1 (4) |
|
Do you use text-messaging templates? | |
Yes | 13 (52) |
No | 12 (48) |
|
Do you have a written policy about text messaging? | |
Yes | 6 (24) |
No | 19 (76) |
|
Do you address confidentiality (for example, tell patients: ‘others may access your device and see text messages’)? | |
Yes | 9 (36) |
No | 16 (64) |