title: Unified communication to reach vulnerable mothers.
abstract: The feasibility of using a mobile text to reach vulnerable patient groups was assessed in this study. A total of 121 pregnant or postnatal women were randomly asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire was given to them in the antenatal clinic, postnatal ward, antenatal ward or in the day assessment unit at St Thomas' Hospital, London. The forms were collected and analysed using an Excel database. The results of this survey show that mobile technology is readily available for 97% of the obstetric population. In mothers from vulnerable groups and in mothers from deprived areas, 61% possessed 3rd generation mobile technology. The majority of mothers surveyed wanted their care supplemented by the use of their mobile phones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. tezcanberrin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tezcan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Von Rege
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Henkson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oteng-Ntim
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*