Automated alerts and reminders targeting patients: A review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: Information technology supporting patient self-management has the potential to foster shared accountability for healthcare outcomes by improving patient adherence. There is growing interest in providing alerts and reminders to patients to improve healthcare self-management. This paper describes a literature review of automated alerts and reminders directed to patients, the technology used, and their efficacy.

Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed to identify relevant studies. The search produced 2418 abstracts; 175 articles underwent full-text review, of which 124 were rejected. 51 publications were included in the final analysis and coding.

Results: The articles are partitioned into alerts and reminders. A summary of the analysis for the 51 included articles is provided.

Conclusion: Reminders and alerts are advantageous in many ways; they can be used to reach patients outside of regular clinic settings, be personalized, and there is a minimal age barrier in the efficacy of automated reminders sent to patients. As technologies and patients' proficiencies evolve, the use and dissemination of patient reminders and alerts will also change.

Practice implications: Automated technology may reliably assist patients to adhere to their health regimen, increase attendance rates, supplement discharge instructions, decrease readmission rates, and potentially reduce clinic costs.

Keywords: Automated alerts and reminders; Consumer health informatics; Health behavior; Patient adherence; Patient-centered care.