Brian Wallace, Founder & President, NowSourcing

For many of us, sending a text is almost second nature.  We probably send hundreds of them in a week to family or friends.  But do you ever text your doctor? Telehealth has been on the rise this past year but that usually has consisted of logging on to a third party software and videoconferencing for your appointment.  However, studies show that only 10% of patients actually prefer using a third party online patient portal.  It is much more preferred to use a text based system to give and receive updates about your health to your physician.  This makes sense as we are 98% likely to read a text message versus the 7% chance that we read a message sent on a secure portal. 

Texting for us is just a way of life, and our physicians recognize that. 83% of Americans do not follow the treatment plan that their doctor gives them.  However, 80% of physicians believe that a patient would be more likely to follow a treatment plan if they were to receive text based reminders and notifications. 

This makes sense.  Oftentimes a treatment plan means altering our lives in a way that we have never done before.  It is not that we actively seek to ignore the advice of our doctor, it is just that we simply forget to implement the new steps into our daily life.  By receiving texts and notifications, it would make the patient more aware and accountable of the changes that they need to implement.  Increasing adherence to treatment plans means increasing the positive outcomes in medical situations.  By doing this, doctors can assure their patients that they will get better and they can mean it as well. 

Text based communication also increased the effectiveness of the clinic or hospital that chooses to partake in it.  The ability to make real-time changes to physicians schedules based off of text feedback allows the clinic to effectively stream workplace productions.  It also allows them to save the most money.

The cumulative cost per year per physician for missed appointments is $150,000.  That is money that could have been spent on medical research or pro bono.  By freeing up that amount of missed earning, text based messaging directly contributes to the development of the future of medicine. Healthcare messaging communication allows for a better environment for both the physician and the patients to increase their partnership.

Source: SopranoDesign.com

About the Author: Brian Wallace is the Founder and President of NowSourcing, an industry leading infographic design agency in Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH which works with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. Brian runs #LinkedInLocal events, hosts the Next Action Podcast, and has been named a Google Small Business Adviser for 2016-present. Follow Brian Wallace on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.