Social work and medical care: electronic reminders to address adherence

Abstract

Social workers are often involved with patients and families around adherence, both to clinic appointments as well as to the medication regimen. An evidence-based practice project was created and implemented to determine the efficacy of electronic reminders such as text messaging on adherence. The implications of improving adherence can positively impact the patient on an individual level as well as reduce costs and increase revenue at a systems level.

Keywords: Medication adherence; electronic reminders; medical appointments; outpatient appointment attendance; short message service (SMS).