Wall Street Journal: Text Messaging for Health

I guess it’s about time that someone came up with a big word for “texting your therapist / nutritionist / doctor.” Honestly, my healthcare providers are just starting to utilize email in their practices. I have no doubt that they check their email in their personal lives (or at least I hope they do), but their work email? I would never email my doctor or therapist if I needed something urgent. Or by the end of the week.

In fact, the only professional I see who IS on top of technology is my dentist… which is unfortunate, because I hate “you are due for your 6 month teeth cleaning!” reminders.

After reading this:

“… young diabetics could send a text message to their doctor to check how to modify their insulin treatment after eating certain foods, or drinking alcohol at a party,”

all I could think about is all the anorexics frantically texting their nutritionists about whatever unsafe food they just ate.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve sent “I feel so crappy for eating this, this, and this” emails to an old (and more technologically savvy) nutritionist of mine.

You have to wonder… at what point does the convenience of instant communication lose it’s helpfulness? And what professional wants all of his/her patients texting on a regular basis?

…. but, the fish thing? now THAT is something I would use.

Tags: eating disorder, health, telemental health, technology and therapy, text messaging for health, health technology