1. Implementation and Utility of an Automated Text Messaging System to Facilitate Symptom Self-Monitoring and Identify Risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Trauma Center Patients.
- Author
-
Bunnell BE, Davidson TM, Winkelmann JR, Maples-Keller JL, Ridings LE, Dahne J, Fakhry SM, and Ruggiero KJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, South Carolina, Trauma Centers, Depression psychology, Mass Screening methods, Risk Assessment, Self Care, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic psychology, Text Messaging
- Abstract
Background and Introduction: Comprehensive monitoring and follow-up after traumatic injury is important for psychological recovery. However, scalable services to facilitate this are limited. Automated text message-based symptom self-monitoring (SSM) may be a feasible approach. This study examined its implementation and utility in identifying patients at risk for mental health difficulties after traumatic injury. Materials and Methods: Five hundred two patients admitted to a Level I trauma center between June 20, 2016 and July 31, 2017 were offered enrollment in a text message-based SSM service. Patients who enrolled received daily text message prompts over 30 days and most participated in a mental health screening 30 days postbaseline. Results: Approximately 67% of patients enrolled in the service; of these, 58% responded to the text messages, with an average response rate of 53%. Younger patients and those with elevated peritraumatic distress were more likely to enroll. Patients with higher levels of mental health stigma, who were White, or had been in a motor vehicle collision were more likely to enroll and respond to text messages once enrolled. Patients' daily ratings of distress detected clinically elevated 30-day mental health screens with high sensitivity (83%) and specificity (70%). Discussion and Conclusions: Text message-based SSM can be implemented as a clinical service in Level I trauma centers, and patient participation may increase engagement in mental health follow-up. Further, it can inform the use of risk assessments in practice, which can be used to identify patients with poor psychological recovery who require additional screening.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF