GPs who used text messaging (n = 25)
| Survey question | n (%) |
|---|---|
| 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) |