A Feasibility Pilot Study on the Use of Text Messages to Track PTSD Symptoms After a Traumatic Injury

Overview

Journal Gen Hosp Psychiatry

Specialties Health Services
Psychiatry

Date 2014 Mar 19

PMID 24636721

Citations 37

Authors

Matthew Price

Kenneth J Ruggiero

Pamela L Ferguson

Sachin K Patel

Frank Treiber

Deborah Couillard

Samir M Fahkry

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Monitoring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after a traumatic injury is beneficial for patients and providers. Text messages can be used to automatically monitor symptoms and impose minimal burden to patients and providers. The present study piloted such a strategy with traumatic injury patients.

Method: An automated daily text message was piloted to evaluate PTSD symptoms after discharge from the hospital. Twenty-nine patients who experienced a traumatic injury received 15 daily texts and were then followed up at 1-month and 3-months after discharge.

Results: 82.8% of the sample responded at least once and the average response rate per participant was 63.1%. Response rates were correlated with PTSD symptoms at baseline but not at any other time. Patient satisfaction with this approach was high.

Conclusion: Text messages are a viable method to monitor PTSD symptoms after a traumatic injury. Such an approach should be evaluated on a larger scale as part of a more comprehensive early intervention for traumatic stress.

Citing Articles

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Longitudinal assessment of psychological distress and its determinants in a sample of firefighters based in Montreal, Canada.

Rapisarda F, Guay S, Ouellet-Morin I, Bond S, Geoffrion S Front Psychol. 2024; 15:1303063.

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McBain S, Cleavenger K, Bull C, Payakachat N, Greer M Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2024; 9(1):e001198.

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Implementation of a Stepped Care Program to Address Emotional Recovery among Traumatic Injury Patients.

Davidson T, Espeleta H, Ridings L, Witcraft S, Bravoco O, Higgins K J Am Coll Surg. 2023; 237(6):810-825.

PMID: 37815166 PMC: 10914157. DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000862.

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