PEC Innovation (Dec 2022)
Identification of preferred reminder systems and patient factors to promote adherence in the management of urinary incontinence
Abstract
Objective: To investigate comfort level and preferences of automated reminder systems (mail, email, text message, phone call, patient-portal message, and/or smartphone application) to promote adherence to recommended therapies for patients seeking care for urinary incontinence (UI) at our urology clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. Methods: Anonymous surveys were distributed in English to adult patients with UI from 4/2019–5/2019. Patient demographics, UI type, and access to and use of the Internet, smartphone and patient-portal were assessed. Using a Likert scale, patients indicated level of comfort with each reminder system and numerically ranked each system. Statistical analyses were performed to identify patient characteristics associated with reminder modality and determine significance in ranking of systems. Results: Fifty-seven patients (67.3 ± 16.3 years) completed the survey with an 87% response rate. Text-message and phone call reminder modalities were ranked the highest compared to other modalities (p 0.05). Internet usage and access significantly correlated with preference for smartphone application and patient-portal message reminder systems (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients reported they were extremely comfortable with all communication modalities, except for smartphone applications in which patients were the least comfortable. The modalities most preferred by patients were phone call and text message and least preferred were patient portal and smart phone application. In conclusion, phone calls and text messages were the most preferred communication modality, with smart phone applications as the least comfortable. Innovation: This study demonstrates the potential utility of specific reminder modalities for patients seeking help with treatment adherence.
