Design and Integration of a Texting Tool to Keep Patients' Family Members Updated During Hospitalization: Family...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Patient-Centered Care
• Health Communication

Background:

• Existing research highlights benefits of patient-centered technologies.
• Texting initiatives have largely overlooked the role of family members in patient care.
• Family engagement is crucial for positive patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore family members' perspectives on facilitators and barriers of a digital texting innovation.
• To understand how texting can promote family-centered care during hospitalizations.
• To identify key themes from family feedback on inpatient text messaging.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study conducted at a tertiary care center in Houston.
• Analysis of 3137 comments from family members using digital texting technology.
• Thematic analysis to identify facilitators and barriers.

Main Results:

• Facilitators included: staying updated and connected (611 comments), improved communication continuity (69 comments), perceived staff compassion (245 comments), and reduced phone calls (65 comments).
• Barriers included: generic messages (31 comments), lack of need when family is present (6 comments), perceived message delays (37 comments), and security impacting convenience (29 comments).

Conclusions:

• Family members value inpatient text messages for information and as a demonstration of inclusiveness and compassion.
• Digital texting can significantly enhance family-centered care during hospitalizations.
• Addressing identified barriers can optimize the effectiveness of inpatient texting initiatives.