Direct SMS communication with healthcare workers strengthened patient-provider relationships and trust¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · qualitative r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Regular direct connection with healthcare workers via SMS built trust and improved communication, increasing satisfaction with the patient/provider relationship. → Choo Esther M. 2026

Evidence¶

Choo Esther M. 2026¶

Choo Esther M., Lara-Arevalo Jonathan, Achieng Catherine, Odhiambo Merceline, Okello Maurine Anyango, Masheti Mary, Tickell Kirkby D., Diakhate Mame M., Singa Benson O., McGrath Christine J., Means Arianna Rubin. (2026). Acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, uptake and cost perceptions of family mid-upper arm circumference supported by two-way SMS in western Kenya. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358775

q2 · i? · the article prints no effect size for this finding · qualitative · r3

Theme from caregiver focus groups and healthcare worker interviews in the qualitative study. Counselors reported the system "has brought us together with the caregivers so that they share their feelings with us."

"In addition, connecting directly with HCWs on a regular basis resulted in stronger relationships between HCWs and caregivers (TDF domain: environmental context and resources) through building trust and improved communication, resulting in greater satisfaction with the patient/provider relationship which is a key to delivery of quality health services."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Caregiver uptake of the Family MUAC two-way SMS intervention was high — related
• Caregivers and healthcare workers perceived Family MUAC with two-way SMS as acceptable, cost-saving, appropriate, and feasible — related
• Baseline-only training was insufficient for sustained measurement accuracy; healthcare workers recommended refresher training — related
• Mobile apps increased timely, direct communication between parents and educators during remote schooling — related
• Equipping caregivers with MUAC tapes empowered them to track child nutrition and become community health advocates — related
• Relational trust and rapid-response adaptation help research-practice partnerships survive acute disruption — a broader claim this one bears on
• Inconsistent MUAC measurements, negative social influences, and phone sharing compromised uptake, especially among low interactors — related