A new paper in the WHO Bulletin (free access) suggests that SMS text messages are more effective (and probably much less expensive) than a 1-day workshop to promote rational prescribing of antibiotics. Below is the citation and selected extracts.

CITATION:

Yaolong Chen et al. Use of text messages to communicate clinical recommendations to health workers in rural China: a cluster-randomized trial. Bull World Health Organ 2014;92:474–481 | doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.13.127076

http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/7/13-127076.pdf

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of mobile phone text messaging and that of traditional health worker training in communicating clinical recommendations to health workers in China.

Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial (Chinese Clinical Trial Register: ChiCTR-TRC-09000488) was conducted in 100 township health centres in north-western China between 17 October and 25 December 2011. Health workers were allocated either to receive 16 text messages with recommendations on the management of viral infections affecting the upper respiratory tract and otitis media (intervention

group, n = 490) or to receive the same recommendations through the existing continuing medical education programme – a one-day training workshop (control group, n = 487). Health workers’ knowledge of the recommendations was assessed before and after messaging and traditional training through a multiple choice questionnaire. The percentage change in score in the control group was compared with that in the intervention group. Changes in prescribing practices were also compared.

Findings: Health workers’ knowledge of the recommendations increased significantly in the intervention group, both individually (0.17 points; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.168–0.172) and at the cluster level (0.16 points; 95% CI: 0.157–0.163), but not in the control group. In the intervention group steroid prescriptions decreased by 5 percentage points but antibiotic prescriptions remained unchanged. In the control group, however, antibiotic and steroid prescriptions increased by 17 and 11 percentage points, respectively.

Conclusion: Text messages can be effective for transmitting medical information and changing health workers’ behaviour, particularly in resource-limited settings

SELECTED EXTRACTS (selected by Neil PW)

‘Health workers in rural China do not receive systematic, qualified medical education and training1,2 because, unlike their urban counterparts, they face constraints such as inadequacies in transport and funding and they are largely unaware of the need for education.’

‘This study shows that compared with traditional methods of medical education, text messages are more effective in leading to a greater understanding of recommendations, especially for family physicians, a result that was shown by changes in prescribing practices.’

Best wishes, Neil

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