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Computer-generated physician and patient reminders. Tools to improve population adherence to selected preventive
S M Ornstein1, D R Garr, R G Jenkins
1Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
The Journal of Family Practice
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Computerized reminders significantly boosted patient adherence to preventive healthcare services. Both patient and physician reminders showed the greatest impact on improving cholesterol measurements, cancer screenings, and immunizations.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Preventive services adherence remains suboptimal despite established guidelines.
- Effective strategies are needed to improve patient and physician engagement in preventive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of computer-generated reminders on adherence to five key preventive services.
- To compare the effectiveness of patient-only, physician-only, and combined patient-physician reminder systems.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 7397 adult patients and 49 physicians in a university family medicine practice.
- Four study groups were established: control, physician reminders, patient reminders, and both physician and patient reminders.
- Adherence was measured as the percentage of patients receiving recommended services within the appropriate interval.
Main Results:
- Adherence increased significantly for four of five preventive services (cholesterol, fecal occult blood testing, mammography, tetanus immunization).
- The combined physician and patient reminder group demonstrated the largest improvements in adherence rates.
- Improvements were generally more pronounced in Black patients and those with insurance coverage.
Conclusions:
- Computer-based reminder systems, particularly those involving both patients and physicians, are effective in enhancing adherence to preventive services.
- These systems hold significant promise for improving preventive care delivery in primary care settings.