OMG! DNT 4GT 2 TAKE UR MEDS!
Generation Y (yes, I’m part of that generation) is addicted to cell phones. Text messaging more than the actual call features. I’ll text my friends before calling them. Why waste my 500 anytime minutes just to say, “We’re still on for Friday, right?”
Texting has become a necessary component in my life, and the lives of many other tweens, teens, and young adults. Whether I’m on the toilet (I know, TMI) or in church (Lord, please forgive me), I can’t seem to stop texting. Even though I’m grown, my mother still yells at me for not ignoring my phone when she’s visiting.
The concept of texting even has its own commercials. Check out this popular Cingular commercial where a mom is stressing over her daughter’s addiction to text messaging and using text idioms as everyday language.
There is even a text messaging competition. Last April, a 13-year-old girl from Pennsylvania scored $25,000 after spelling “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” on her cell phone. The girl, who beat 200 competitors, estimates she sends more 8,000 text messages every month. I bet her phone carrier is very happy to have her as a customer!
But now, parents have a reason to rejoice over their children receiving texts. Someone came up with the brilliant idea to start sending texts to teen patients reminding them to take their prescription medication. Pure genius!
According to Dennis Drotar, a physician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, some studies suggest that on average, only half of adolescents properly follow treatment steps. Research also suggests that as little as 30 percent of teens correctly take medication to prevent asthma attacks.
Ohio doctors are one of the firsts to experiment with the text reminders.
One pilot study participant, 16-year-old Kabrina Moton, said she once went an entire month without using her asthma inhaler, but since receiving the text reminders hasn’t missed a dose. (Read full story)
Although the full study will be conducted later this year, looking at Moton’s progress, it seems to be a great idea.
I always forget to take my medications, sometimes going weeks without popping my prescriptions because I have so many other things to worry about. Getting a friendly reminder may be the trick to get me on a tight medication schedule.
Wow finally a phenomena that puts a positive spin to teens and cell phones!! I think this is a wonderful idea, especially when it has something to do with potentially saving a life. We all have times in our lives that so much is going on that we forget the obvious-like taking a medication. I know this is the case in my life. That is why an alarm goes off on my phone every nite to remind me to take mine. I can’t wait to see the final research on this trial. I think this is definately something that can become a new trend!!