Messages are considered as one of the fastest means to get in touch with someone in case calls fail. It is also the cheapest method to reach out to a large audience, such as patients in a hospital. Below are some benefits that come along with text messaging, especially in healthcare.
What to include in text messages
Patient information
This entails personal information such as the patient’s name and registration number. This confirms that the information is sent to the right recipient.
Answers to questions
Some patients could need information from the questions they ask. Text messages can be used to answer questions and give additional materials for references.
Appointment information
Patients can be informed of appointments which can include information such as the specified dates, the reason for the appointment and the name of the doctor they will meet.
Follow-up questions
Doctors and other caregivers in healthcare facilities can monitor patients remotely and do follow-ups on their progress.
Advantages of text messages
Secure
Text messages are encrypted from the sender to the receiver. It is hard for another person who is not intended to read the message to have access to it.
On the other hand, the messages are confidential and especially for patients with sensitive healthcare information.
Simple to use
Patients of any age bracket can use text messages to either confirm doctor appointments and make any inquiries.
Doctors also have an easy time writing comprehensible messages intended for their patients.
Quick to respond
Text messages take the shortest time possible to be delivered to the recipient or back to the sender.
They can be used to call out for emergencies from the patients to the doctors. Doctors can also send emergency messages to other doctors asking for guidance and essential information.
Affordable
Compared to making a call, text messages are one of the most affordable means to reach patients. For healthcare institutions with a large patient database, the purchase of texts in bulk is a cheaper way of communication.
Have formality protocol
Text messages can be addressed with the same formality as emails. In case patients are making compliments or complaints, they can achieve this through addressing their text messages directly to the customer care contact.
When to use text messages
When sending out reminders
Patients need to be reminded constantly when to take medication, what their wellness routine, or their next appointments are.
Providing relevant information
Some patients need important information relating to their medication or signs and symptoms. Text messages are most effective in such a case.
To order new supplies
Healthcare facilities could send out invoices asking for a new supply of medical equipment using this link. Text messages are in hand in such cases, especially if the supplies are needed urgently.
If the patient is home-based
Some patients are recommended home-based medical care. However, not all the time someone has relevant information needed to keep a patient unless they have medical training. Home-based caregivers can use text messages to make inquiries about patient information.
In conclusion, text messages are an important pillar when it comes to healthcare. Hospitals are encouraged to embrace messaging as an easy means to reach more patients.