Okay, so you’re never going to get a text like that from your doctor. If you do, run and find a new doc.

But smart healthcare providers are catching on to interacting with their patients via smartphones (sans emoticons).

Modern medicine is just beginning to catch up to tech and figure out how SMS can be another tool to help patients. While the healthcare industry must adhere to additional electronic privacy rules along with standard anti-spam and proper marketing regulations that everyone else must follow, providers and their staff can still find smart ways to utilize texting.

Examples

• Appointment reminders. Instead of a card in the mail or a courtesy phone call, your provider’s office can send texts confirming an upcoming visit, or an automated text once a year for a check-up. Texts to doctors can also help them remember their own appointments.
• Seeking Advice. As long as the patient’s identity is protected, doctors can seek advice from other peers or specialists. Physician A’s texts can also get right through to Physician B, rather than going through the phone system and leaving a message, or sending an email that may get lost among the hundreds of others that doctors typically receive.
• Better adherence. A British study showed that patients who had regular text reminders from their providers were less likely to forget to take their medication or the wrong quantity. A group of 303 patients being treated for heart or blood pressure problems were divided into groups that received SMS notifications versus another group that didn’t. The texts were sent daily for the first two weeks, then every other day for two weeks, then weekly for five months. The study found that 25 percent of the “non-text” group didn’t complete the prescription, compared to 9 percent of the “text” group. This type of active texting could potentially lead to better prescription management — such as less waste, and better outcomes, i.e., if a patient doesn’t comply with a prescription or a recommended medical plan, they’ll increase the odds of suffering future problems like heart attacks.
• Better interaction with pharmacies. If a pharmacy has “just a little question for the doctor” it might take hours for the provider to receive a phone message but a quick text can lead to quick communication and a fast response.
• Provide accurate information. Doctors often discourage patients from research their problems online research and self diagnosing. So much of the information available on the Internet is questionable, wrong, and even dangerous. A study in the Journal of Medical internet Research showed that patients and doctors are both aware of some of the credibility concerns of certain sites, and suggests that improved communication between patient and provider can reduce anxiety and confusion. An SMS environment may not prove the best place to debate pros and cons of technical studies but a doctor or doctor’s office can text a patient reliable web links to accurate information — including the doctor’s website — and invite the patient to make an appointment for further discussion.
• Quick interactions. Many doctors and nurses would love nothing better than to spend more time with every patient but the reality of the current industry is that giving extra time for one patient means less time or delays for the next patient. Texting is a time-efficient way for a doctor and doctor’s staff to provide quick answers to patients with basic questions that may not necessitate an appointment.

Bottom Line

Texting can be a useful tool for physicians to communicate accurate information, maximize time management and improve patient relations.

Guest post by Sophorn Chhay, an inbound marketer specializing in attracting targeted visitors and generated sales qualified leads. Through Trumpia’s SMS and marketing automation solution he helps businesses and organizations communicate effectively with their customers or members. Trumpia is offering a free Mobile Marketing Success Kit so don’t forget to grab your free copy.

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Wearable Devices

Global sales of wearable computers are expected to be over $3 billion this year. Ways of life-logging are forever zooming ahead. Clip a camera to your collar in the morning after you strap on your smart watch and a fitness band. Soon you’ll be wearing Google Glass and in a few years your contact lenses will have built-in WiFi. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that fits over your eyes and ears. The user can turn their head and look around virtual worlds without nausea from motion blurs.

Space Tourism

A new type of engine called the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) will be tested in space this March. It’s an electromagnetic thruster for spacecraft propulsion. Sounds sexy. CNN said, “If successful it is estimated that it could reduce the time it takes to get to Mars from nine months to just three months.” NASA will test the technology on the International Space Station. Beam me up, Scotty.

3D Printing

Loads of computer 3D printing systems are busting out all over. Some cost $1,000 or less. You can even get a 3D printer that prints Hershey’s chocolate soon. The 3Doodler, the world’s first 3D printer pen that lets you sketch objects to print in 3D, only costs $99. Hold the pen up in the air, doodle, and voilà — solid object. You can preorder it now. But that’s kid stuff compared to other products. ChefJetPro costs in the neighborhood of $10,000 and prints food. XYZprinting is aimed at Joe-schmoe consumers with its $499 desktop plug-and-play Da Vinci 3D printer. The two feet by two feet home gadget can print objects with impressively consistent results. Sick of your smartphone case? Just print a new one.

Cars

GM has announced the rollout of 4G/LTE cars. Apps will load much faster now — previously GM was using only a 2G data service. The new cars are being made available through a partnership between GM and AT&T. In addition to driving themselves, cars will be able to find a parking space and park. New and improved software can tell a car how to react to objects and potential threats. The connectivity does more than just stream apps, though. The 2014 Corvette Stingray can alert drivers to maintenance issues and diagnose problems. Then you can schedule a repair from the car.
[Photo by Flickr user Sergey Galyonkin]

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Curation of Content
Curata is a web-based content curation tool that can help you streamline your online content marketing efforts. Now you can easily find, organize and share the best content for your blog. Curata helps you to achieve higher keyword ranking in the search engines and increase website traffic.

Location-based Social Media
The technology in mobile devices is more powerful and more affordable than ever. This combination of power and economy is contributing to an increase in mobile social activity. A large user base with geographic ties allows brands to target small, qualified groups of users with unique and relevant messaging.

LinkedIn
As search engines rely more on social signals, it is important to have an active presence in the channels that carry the most search engine weight. LinkedIn is one such channel, and can be a very effective tool for connecting with business consumers as well as getting yourself to rank higher in search engine results.

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See what Spielberg had to say during our interview. Go to Petside.com … much more to come. Keep an eye out for my photo slideshow and more interviews!

Tintin, a cartoon journalist created by Belgian artist, Hergé, in 1929, is well-known outside of the U.S. Spielberg hadn’t heard of him or his dog Snowy, until 1981 when a French review of Raiders of the Lost Ark compared Indiana Jones to Tintin. Spielberg’s 3D film is based on Hergé’s stories, “The Crab with the Golden Claws” (1941), “The Secret of the Unicorn” (1942), and “Red Rackham’s Treasure” (1943).

These serial comics were published in Le Soir, a Brussels daily newspaper that collaborated with the Nazis during the German occupation. After the war, Hergé faced lengthy investigations. He was accused of anti-Semitism and banned a few years from newspaper work. During a 1973 interview Hergé said, “I believed the future of the West could depend on the New Order. In light of everything which has happened, it is of course a huge error to have believed for an instant in the New Order.”

Spielberg, who brought us Schindler’s List and the Shoah Foundation, researched  Hergé and his artwork thoroughly enough to know there was never any solid anti-Semitic evidence found in his work or personal life.

The film opens in America on December 21, two months after its release overseas where it has already pulled in upwards of $56 million.

Inspired by Tintin’s sidekick Snowy, Purina^® Dog Chow^® has partnered up with Paramount Pictures. From now through January 3, 2012, for every “Like” on www.facebook.com/dogchow Purina will donate $1 up to $150,000 to therapy dog organizations: Patriot Rovers, Reading Education Assistance Dogs, and the Delta Society.

For those not familiar, Tintin is a dogged cartoon reporter created by Belgian artist Hergé (Georges Prosper Remi) in 1929. Tintin and his dog Snowy are household names outside America, but Spielberg had never heard of them until he read a 1981 French review of Raiders of the Lost Ark that compared Indiana Jones to Tintin.

Read more on Petside.com

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Like any writer/social media whiz, my world is on computer. With deadlines hovering, I awake, make cappuccino, push the power button and hear the reassuring bong of startup. After sorting papers-in-chaos, I prioritize my morning “emergencies” and check emails. Clicking on one link leads me to a zillion more. Aside from the three biggest time suckers—Facebook, Twitter and YouTube—I lose still more time on Mashable, Wikipedia, and Petside.com (yes, I’m fixated on tech news, facts, and my dog). Curious, I polled other writers about sites they waste time on.

The first reply came from freelance writer Lara Bishop, “Does online shopping at Frederick’s of Hollywood count?” Given a reassuring nod she said, “Late at night, rather than focusing on my latest writing project, I surf lingerie sites like PamperedPassions.com and imagine what my life would be like if I had an intimate relationship with something other than a Word document.”

Steve Geng, author of the critically acclaimed memoir Thick As Thieves, said, “I’ll be writing my novel, then hear a little ding and I can’t resist checking to see who emailed—hey, could be my agent. I subscribe to TheDailyBeast.com because I like their journalism—timely, concise, and not too far left or right. Trouble is, at the end of each article are comments. I followed one thread that surged with vitriol and feelings of patriotic betrayal. It was about Christina Aguilera’s Star-Spangled Banner lyrics goof at the Super Bowl. Next thing I knew, after typing several comments of my own, three hours had gone by and I’d forgotten where I left off on my novel.”

Fiction and nonfiction writer Chris Roberts said his favorite site, Figment.com, has colors and graphics that remind him of the iconic 1980s show, Miami Vice. Funny he mentioned that—the above-quoted Geng appeared on many Miami Vice episodes. Roberts said, “Figment is fun for writers and has blog contests. One winner received a Personal Library Kit to keep track of who he or she loaned books to.”

TheFreeDictionary.com describes a gawker as a spectator who stares or gapes stupidly. Aptly named, Gawker.com provides titillating stars’ gossip from Manhattan to Hollywood. Susan Shapiro, an ASJA member and author of eight books in eight years whose motto is “a page a day is a book a year” said, “I hate to admit I still love Gawker, especially when they catch my enemies—or media people who’ve been rude to me—doing something stupid.” On a similar note, Melissa Malamut, author of She’s Got Game: The Woman’s Guide to Loving Sports (or Just How to Fake It!) said, “My guilty pleasures are TMZ.com or PerezHilton.com. Seeing celebs in unflattering photos always makes me feel much better after a rejected pitch or bad review.”

One ASJA member needed computer detox. Alisa Bowman, author of Project: Happily Ever After, said, “It got lonely endlessly staring at blogs and discussion boards. Then I remembered I have a family right here to talk to.” She admitted she’d been checking her Amazon sales rank like a nervous tic, repeatedly refreshing the screen hoping to see a higher number. “It was an ugly situation; I had to quit.”

ASJA’s Hilary Davidson, author of the mystery The Damage Done, said, “MulhollandBooks.com features short stories in its ‘Popcorn Fiction’ section. I’ll start reading and tell myself, ‘Just one more, just one more.’ During a 10-minute break I’ll suddenly realize 75 minutes have flown away!”

Journalist Todd Hill said he couldn’t pick one. “Sites I most frequently visited 18 months ago may not be the same ones I’m looking at now, or will be in another 18 months.” ASJA member Dahna M. Chandler, an award-winning investigative journalist, said, “I keep about 60 tabs open on two browsers. I’m constantly checking blogs looking for content and prowling for ideas. Good excuse for wasting time, eh?”

ASJA member Linda Melone said she’s hooked on TheOatmeal.com. I visited the home page which screams in large black type: “Dumb Jokes That Are Funny.”

“Watch out,” Melone said, “it is addictive.”

Pamela Jacobs, editor in chief at New York’s Resident magazine, is a fan of LameBook.com; “It’s a great waste of time and a scary insight into the depths of stupidity.” I had to see for myself and read the top two tweets. “First was this: Sarah Palin and Snookie having NY Times bestsellers makes me realize being literate is overated.” I wondered if that last word was misspelled on purpose. Post No. 2 said: “Dear Punctuation, I want you inside of me. Sincerely, Quotation Marks.” Yup, I LOL’d.

Freelance writer Bonnie Bernstein said, “Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a Donny Osmond obsession.” She learned the Osmonds followed the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). “Mormons sounded so great,” Bernstein said. “It made me want to marry Donny even more.” It wasn’t until adulthood she found out the connection to polygamy. “While that doesn’t appeal to me, and probably not to Donny, I find it fascinating and spend hours googling FLDS and polygamy.”

And newsletter editor Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, admittedly obsessed with yarn, knitting, and sometimes even weaving, says she spends way too much time at Ravelry.com, a website for knitters and weavers.

Hey, whatever boots your server, loosens your login, or bings your blog.

This article appears in the April 2011 ASJA newsletter.

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