Patient engagement with an automated postdischarge text messaging program for improving care transitions

Automated text messaging is a promising approach to monitor patients after hospital discharge and avert readmissions; however, it is not known to what extent patients would engage with this type of program and whether engagement may vary based on patients' characteristics. Using data from a 30-day postdischarge texting program at a large university hospital, we examined engagement over time (operationalized as response rate to text messages) and patient characteristics associated with engagement. Of the 1324 patients in the study sample, 838 (63%) stayed in the program for the full duration. Among those retained, the median response rate was 33% (interquartile range: 11%-77%) and decreased over time. Patients who were male (p < .05), were Black/African American (p < .001), had lower health literacy (p < .01), or had not recently logged into the patient portal (p < .001), all had lower response rates. Results support closer examinations of patient engagement in hospital-based texting programs and who is positioned to benefit.