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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Dec;18(10):777-84.
doi: 10.1089/tmj.2012.0047. Epub 2012 Oct 18.

Feasibility and acceptability of mobile epilepsy educational system (MEES) for people with epilepsy in Malaysia

Pei Lin Lua  1 , Widiasmoro Selamat Neni
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Feasibility and acceptability of mobile epilepsy educational system (MEES) for people with epilepsy in Malaysia

Pei Lin Lua et al. Telemed J E Health. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine innovations, including short message service (SMS), have been used to address a range of health concerns in a variety of settings. Practical, safe, and cost-effective, this simple tool can also potentially improve patients' understanding toward their own diseases via knowledge enhancement. This study was designed to develop and assess the feasibility and acceptability of an SMS-based epilepsy educational program for epilepsy patients.

Subjects and methods: This was a prospective randomized interventional study. Epilepsy outpatients from three general hospitals in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia received the SMS-based mobile epilepsy educational system (MEES) for a 3-month period.

Results: In total, 51 patients completed the study (median age, 25.0 years; 51.0% female; 92.2% Malay; 56.9% single; education level, 70.6% ≤SPM/Cambridge O-level equivalent; 25.5% supportive workers; monthly income, 58.8% ≤MYR 500.0/USD 158.5). Approximately 86.0% of the patients owned at least a mobile phone. The total cost of SMS delivery was economically affordable (MYR 3.08/USD 0.98 per patient). Overall, 74.0% agreed that MEES was either very or quite useful. It is encouraging that the majority of patients have offered positive comments and favorable opinions specifically toward epilepsy education (94.0%), drug-taking reminder (90.0%), and clinic appointment reminder (88.0%). It was also reported that 88.2% of the participants would recommend MEES to other people with epilepsy.

Conclusions: The current study adds to the growing evidence suggesting that a greater investment in telemedicine programs involving SMS would be both feasible and well received by patients and could be a potentially valuable approach to increase access and effectiveness of epilepsy care.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Mobile telephone ownership among people with epilepsy in Malaysia. HSNZ, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terenggamu; HTAA, Hospital Tuanku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan; HRPZII, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab (II), Kota Bahru.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
General perception of the mobile epilepsy educational system (MEES) based on sociodemographic background.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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