Short Message Service reminders reduce outpatient colonoscopy nonattendance rate: A randomized controlled study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Nonattendance for outpatient colonoscopy appointments leads to significant healthcare resource inefficiency.
• Effective strategies are needed to improve patient adherence to scheduled colonoscopies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Short Message Service (SMS) reminders in reducing the nonattendance rate for outpatient colonoscopy.
• To assess the impact of SMS reminders on colonoscopy completion and bowel preparation quality.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy in Hong Kong.
• Patients were assigned to either an SMS reminder group or a standard care group.
• Data on demographics, attendance, colonoscopy completion, and bowel preparation quality were collected and analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• The nonattendance rate was significantly lower in the SMS reminder group (8.9%) compared to the standard care group (11.9%, P=0.022).
• No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics, colonoscopy completion rates, or bowel preparation quality between the groups.
• A trend towards improved adequate bowel preparation was noted in the SMS group (69.9% vs 65.8%, P=0.053).

Conclusions:

• SMS reminders are an effective tool for reducing outpatient colonoscopy nonattendance.
• This intervention may also contribute to potentially improving bowel preparation quality for colonoscopies.