Cincinnati study uses text messaging to increase teens' compliance

NEW YORK Many adolescents fail to take medications for chronic illnesses out of rebellion or sensitivity about personal appearance, according to the Associated Press, which reported Monday that doctors in Cincinnati have begun using text messages to remind their teenaged patients to take their medications to help control chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes or kidney disease.

Cincinnati doctor Maria Britto got the idea when she noticed that patients as young as 12 would bring their cell phones into the examination room and often type and read text messages as she examined them. Also, studies from the National Institutes of Health have shown that adolescent patients have a bad record in regards to medication adherence. Asthma's record is particularly bad, with research suggesting as few as 30 percent of teenagers correctly take medication to prevent asthma attacks.

Pilot testing of the program recently began, and a larger study will begin later this year. Some participants have already started noticing a difference and taking their medication on time.