Addressing the Learning Need

Addressing the Learning Need

Addressing the Learning Need

As previously identified, members of FQHC patient populations have decreased health literacy resulting in noncompliance with follow-up appointments and poorer patient outcomes.  However, a systematic review of 60 studies identified text messages as an effective intervention to improve patient compliance, thereby increasing patient outcomes (Hirshberg, Downes, & Srinivas, 2018).  Text messages provide a low-cost, highly scalable intervention to improve patient follow-up (Arora et al., 2015).  Additionally, few members of society do not have access to a mobile phone.  Text messages sent seven days, and one day before scheduled appointments are effective intervals for improving patient follow-up (Arora et al., 2015).  Potential obstacles for this intervention include patients changing their mobile numbers, having limited data usage, and the inability to know whether the message was received.  However, using text messages to reinforce the need for compliance with follow-up care will address the learning deficit for this patient population.  Additionally, orientating the office staff and then including them in the implementation of this intervention will address the staff’s learning need.  Therefore, a PowerPoint presentation should be designed to orient the staff to this technology-based, evidence-based intervention.

Summary

Learning needs exist in all patient populations.  Ongoing advances in technology are providing new methods for addressing these needs.  By taking advantage of these technologies, evidence-based interventions can successfully be implemented in the practice setting.

Reference

Arora, S., Burner, E., Terp, S., Nok Lam, C., Nercisian, A., Bhatt, V., & Menchine, M. (2015). Improving attendance at post–emergency department follow‐up via automated text message appointment reminders: A randomized controlled trial. Academic Emergency Medicine, 22(1), 31-37.

Health Resources & Services Administration. (2018, May 8). Federally Qualified Health Centers. Retrieved from https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/eligibility-and-registration/health-centers/fqhc/index.html

Health Resources & Services Administration. (2019). 2018 Health Center Data. Retrieved from https://bphc.hrsa.gov/uds/datacenter.aspx?q=tall&year=2018&state=

Health Resources & Services Administration. (n.d.). HRSA Health Center Program. Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://bphc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bphc/about/healthcenter factsheet.pdf

Hirshberg, A., Downes, K., & Srinivas, S. (2018). Comparing standard office-based follow-up with text-based remote monitoring in the management of postpartum hypertension: A randomised clinical trial. BMJ Quality & Safety, 27(11), 871-877. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2018-007837

Thompson, A. C., Thompson, M. O., Young, D. L., Lin, R. C., Sanislo, S. R., Moshfeghi, D. M., & Singh, K. (2015). Barriers to follow-up and strategies to improve adherence to appointments for care of chronic eye diseases. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 56(8), 4324-4331. doi:10.1167/iovs.15-16444

Whitley, M. Y., Jones, E. M. V. W., Hansen, B. K., & Vora, J. (2019). The impact of self-monitoring blood glucose adherence on glycemic goal attainment in an indigent population, with pharmacy assistance. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 44(9), 554. doi:10.43 21/s1885-642×2006000400006