Discover the Health Benefits of Texting: Insights from Englewood Health | ROI-NJ

We’ve all heard of “text neck” and the stress that comes from being glued to our phones. But did you know that texting can actually benefit your health?

Englewood Health is proving this with smart text messaging campaigns. These campaigns remind people about important health screenings like those for colorectal, lung, and breast cancer, and help them connect with their primary care doctors.

These messages do more than just remind you of appointments. They actively reach out to patients who are overdue for their screenings. Patients can book their appointments easily through a link or by calling a number if they prefer speaking to someone. This flexibility makes it easier for everyone to access care. Impressively, many patients choose not to opt out of these messages, showing they see real value in them.

At the 2024 American College of Surgeons Cancer Conference, Englewood Health highlighted how these digital tools make a difference in early detection and health outcomes.

“Our data shows that simple, timely reminders can save lives,” said Dr. Stephen Brunnquell, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “From cancer screenings to physical exams, these efforts keep patients updated on their health and help us close care gaps in the community.”

This year, Englewood Health ran several successful text reminder campaigns. Here are some examples:

• Breast Cancer Screening: They reached out to over 48,000 women due for a first-time screening mammogram. About 5% scheduled their appointment right from the text. In a separate initiative for 11,600 women overdue for a mammogram, nearly 20% booked their screening after receiving reminders.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: For first-time colonoscopy patients, Englewood Health texted over 31,000 people. More than 1,000 completed a colonoscopy thanks to these messages, with many opting for Cologuard or scheduling future screenings.
• Lung Cancer Screening: More than 7,800 patients received texts about lung cancer screening. Almost 10% responded by booking a consultation for low-dose CT screening, often scheduling through the patient portal.
• Primary Care Appointments: Englewood Health contacted nearly 8,400 patients aged 50-64 who hadn’t seen a primary care provider in three years. Around 1,300 booked an appointment, highlighting a significant need for regular check-ups.

The work continues. In March, Englewood Health will introduce a new campaign for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening targeting men aged 65-75 who have smoked.

Kimeta Palamar, senior director of digital strategy at Englewood Health, stated, “Building on our past successes, digital outreach is becoming a crucial part of our patient engagement efforts.” The goal is to remind patients of essential screenings, bridge care gaps, and improve long-term health outcomes.