Mobile phones used to support drug detoxification
In this month’s Nursing Times read about the development of a support service from Dundee that aims to meet the needs of opiate users before, during and after drug detoxification, using mobile phone text messages.
Study results showed that support workers found client (patient) recruitment problematic. However, once client trust and engagement had been established, the eight participants rated the service positively. A technical appraisal confirmed that, once established, the service ran smoothly and there were no adverse safety incidents. Those healthcare professionals and clients who used the service were impressed by its style and content. The pilot study could be of potential value in planning future strategies to offer around the clock support for healthy lifestyle choices across a range of health and social conditions.
Do you think patients in either Scotland or Malawi would find it helpful to receive confidential support from their GP practice via mobile phone text message? Does it sound like a gimmick or a simple and direct way of reaching out to vulnerable patients with long-term healthcare challenges? Would you like to share your experience of working on the Dundee research study?
Let us know your thoughts on the blog.
If you are asked for a password prompt to read the article, email malawi.clinics@gmail.com and we will reply.
Filed under: Westgate, discussion
[...] phones for global health Posted on May 1, 2008 by malawiclinics Following on from the blog post about how mobile phone text messaging has been used to support drug de-toxification in Dundee, [...]