Digital technologies like cell phones can improve care for underserved populations. But a new survey of community health centers, by researchers for The Commonweatlh Fund, found that they are not widely used in patient care. Only 27% of the health centers surveyed said they were engaging patients in their care through their cell phones. The most common use: sending patients reminders about appointments and screenings (66%). Community health centers could use cell phones to manage chronic diseases like diabetes and to help patients quit smoking or take their medications properly, but doing so will require more resources and better reimbursement policies.
Read full study: Mobile Health and Patient Engagement in the Safety Net: A Survey of Community Health Centers and Clinics