title: Parental and provider preferences and concerns regarding text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess parental, provider, and medical staff opinions about text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2011 among 200 parents of 6-59 month-old children, 26 providers, and 20 medical staff at four academically-affiliated pediatric practices in New York City with text messaging experience. Survey questions addressed interest in, preferences for, and concerns/barriers related to vaccine-related text message reminder/recall.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents were primarily Latino, Spanish-speaking, and had a high school education or less. Most parents owned a text message-enabled cell phone (89%) and used text messaging services (97%). While 84% had never received health-related text messages, 88% were comfortable receiving them. Nearly all parents reported interest in receiving reminder/recall text messages, many endorsing them over phone calls and/or letters. Preferences included personalization, interactivity, and multiple messages. While 25% of parents had no concerns, 38% were concerned about incorrect numbers; only 6% worried about cost. Providers and staff were also supportive of vaccine-related text messages. Their biggest concerns were correct cell phone numbers, appointment availability, and increased call volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccination was widely supported. Important barriers were identified that should be addressed to maximize their effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Annika M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hofstetter
authors.forename: Celibell Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitayama
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Stockwell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Children; Immunization; Reminder/recall; Text message