Optimizing the Number and Timing of Doctor's Appointment Reminders: An Interview With Dr John F. Steiner

As technology continues to make its way into the healthcare sphere, text message reminders have been utilized to remind patients of their appointments. While the impact of these reminders is well documented, less is known about the optimal number or timing of these reminders.

In 2017, 3.6 million people in the United States missed healthcare appointments. As technology continues to make its way into the healthcare sphere, text message reminders have been utilized to remind patients of their appointments. While the impact of these reminders is well documented, less is known about the optimal number or timing of these reminders.

A study in this month's issue of The American Journal of Managed Care^® compared missed appointment rates for patients receiving a single reminder for either 3 days prior to a primary care visit, 1 day prior to the visit, or both 3 days and 1 day prior to the visit. We spoke with John F. Steiner, MD, MPH, lead author of the study and senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente, about the study, its findings, and its implications.

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Read/listen more about the use of text messaging and other health information technology tools to improve health outcomes:

CareSpeak: Using a 2-Way Text Messaging Platform to Increase Medication Adherence

The Shift From Episodic to Continuous Care: Wearable Technology and Telemedicine in Cardiology

Using Health IT to Increase Medication Adherence and Enhance Precision Medicine