How effective are short message service reminders at increasing clinic attendance? A meta-analysis and systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

In the last few years there has been a steady uptake of mobile phone short message service (SMS) reminders to increase medical attendance rates. We undertook a review of studies that assessed the effectiveness of SMS reminders at increasing the uptake of appointments in health care settings.

Methods

We reviewed studies which involved a comparison of appointment attendance rates between patients who did and did not receive SMS reminders published prior to June 2010. We used meta-analysis methods to calculate the overall effect on attendance rates, stratified by study design and clinic type.

Results

The review criteria were met by 18 reports, made up of eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 10 controlled observational studies. Across al

SUBMITTER: Guy R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3419880 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature