Leverage Text Messaging to Increase Access and Improve Health Outcomes

Community health centers (CHCs) know that so much of what affects health outcomes happens outside of the clinic walls. But to reach and engage patients beyond the traditional medical visit, phone calls and emails simply aren’t working. When it comes to boosting access to care, closing care gaps, and engaging patients long-term, text messaging has a proven record of success. Not only have studies shown that text messaging is the preferred and most convenient means and communication channel for patients, it may be the best way to reach health center communities as many low-income patients are more likely to have a cell phone than a computer or landline. By integrating text-based communication systems with EHRs, CHCs can implement a cost-effective approach to boosting access to care and health outcomes. CHCs can deliver automated outreach (in the patient’s language of choice) to attributed or assigned patients. Furthermore, by leveraging EHR integration, CHCs can identify and reach patients with hyper-targeted, clinical messages. This session will include a speaker and case study from a large, multisite CHC that has leveraged this technology to meet complex primary care goals.