Texting for Asthma
If you know a teenager, you know that the one thing they can't seem to live without is a cell phone. Ohio researchers are banking on it. The physicians recently embarked on a study to test the theory that text messaging via cell phone may be useful in helping teens with asthma remember to take their medications.
Other studies have shown that only half of adolescents, on average, properly follow treatment steps. Asthma fares worse than this average, however, with as few as 30 percent of teens correctly taking medication to prevent attacks.
The idea seems like a no-brainer. Already many manufacturers have developed interactive Web sites for children and teens with success. Texting takes it a step further.
If teens are too preoccupied with other things to remember their meds, why not send them a reminder in the medium they prefer? No need to wait for the results of a study. In fact, for providers looking to up their clinical service for asthma management, texting reminders might be a great addition.
Posted by Elisha Bury on Jun 08, 2009 at 12:41 AM