SEX::TECH San Francisco, CA February 27 th 2010. Why & What for? Texting is: – The primary mode of communication for teens – Efficient way to communicate.

SEX::TECHSan Francisco, CA

February 27th 2010

Why & What for?• Texting is:– The primary mode of communication for

teens– Efficient way to communicate with teens–Non-threatening medium for asking

sensitive questions

• Text service is an adjunct to patient care & not a replacement

The Process• In clinic survey• Discussions with other texting

services• Approval from:–Mount Sinai Attorney–HIPPA/IRB–Mount Sinai IT

In clinic survey

0 20 40 60 80 100

Unlimited text

Prefer text

Respond quicker to text

Concerned re confidentiality

Want to ask questions

Want healthbytes

Want BC reminders

Want results

Percentage (n = 168)

72

74

70

65

35

80

80

86

The Technology• Teamed up with RipRoad® – a mobile

marketing company (www.riproad.com)• Created an on-line platform–Password-protected– Texts come to a screen interface–Callers are anonymous–Question threads can be followed

‘Text in the City’1. Q&A• Ask a question. Reply within 24 hours

2. Birth Control Reminders• Opt in for Birth Control Reminders –

daily or weekly

3. Healthbyte• Once-weekly text about sexual health &

healthy living

Q&A

Real Life Q&A

BC Reminders

The Healthbyte

The Healthbyte

Evaluation• 3 month text survey–Set of questions sent to all patients

using the service via text messages

• Evaluation of numbers–Opting for which part of the service–Opting out

Current Figures

Approximate # of Cards Distributed 200

Questions Sent In # Valid Questions (starting w/ the codeword TTCQ) 45

# Invalid Questions 7Birth Control Reminders

# Users who signed up for DAILY Reminders 11

# Users who signed up for WEEKLY Reminders 6

# Users who signed up for Healthbytes 19Optouts

Birth Control Reminders 6

Healthbytes 7

Total # of unique Users 37Total # of hits 94

• Recruitment– Intentionally slow start–Clinic construction–Ad cards

• Technology–Use of short code/ codeword confusion–Lack of cell coverage in the clinic

Pitfalls

The Future• Potential for training of Health Educations,

Clinical Fellows and other Providers• Adapt the service according to needs• Use data we have to apply for grants• Other uses of the text messaging service

- STD recall- Appointment reminders etc

www.textinthecity.posterous.comwww.twitter.com/TextintheCityNY

Questions?