Text message reminders for improving patient appointment adherence in an office-based buprenorphine program: A...

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Digital Health Interventions
• Patient Adherence

Background:

• Missed appointments are a significant challenge in office-based buprenorphine treatment (OBOT).
• The effectiveness and feasibility of using text message (TM) appointment reminders for OBOT patients were previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of TM appointment reminders in OBOT.
• To identify patient-reported barriers to appointment adherence.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month prospective cohort study involving 93 OBOT patients receiving TM reminders.
• Feasibility surveys were administered post-reminder delivery and at the 6-month mark.

Main Results:

• 100% of respondents believed TM reminders should be provided to all OBOT patients.
• 97% reported that TM reminders helped improve adherence to scheduled appointments.
• 95% found TM reminders helpful, preferred them over phone calls, and recommended them for all clinic patients, with no significant privacy or disruption issues reported.

Conclusions:

• TM appointment reminders are an acceptable and feasible intervention for OBOT.
• Patient interest in TM reminders was not affected by age or duration of buprenorphine treatment.
• Key barriers to adherence include transportation, work/school conflicts, and clinic wait times, necessitating further research into system integration and clinician/administrator acceptance.