In a move that warrants praise, doctors in Mumbai have begun implementing SMS reminders to help diabetic patients keep better track of their sugar levels. As cell phones continue to do far more to keep people connected and access to the SMS APIs ensure far greater implementation and integration with mobile device features, the ability to deliver unique solutions such as this is growing steadily.

Mobile applications for health purpose are being developed steadily for smart phone owners as well. The University of Pennsylvania is now testing an application, reportedly called Mobile Therapy, for patients with schizophrenia. The application lets patients select their current mood and stress level which will ultimately be sent to a doctor-monitored service that will then communicate advice back to the patient.

In some other examples of health-care type SMS services, patient management, including timely reminders about pills and when tests are necessary, are also being delivered with regularity.

While many applications are not implementing mass SMS messages, or text from e-mail, the power of SMS messaging is having a profound affect on the level of communication between health providers and patients. Dr. Khambati, who is participating in the Mumbai SMS service for diabetics, believes that it’s working well as his patients have had a reduction in their A1C counts (the diagnostic test to establish long-term sugar levels in the body).

As healthcare-type SMS services continue to have success like this, it’s likely that these services will continue to develop and be made more widely available.

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Posted: March 23rd, 2011 under Mobile Computing, SMS Technology.
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The Northern Territory Government recently introduced some innovative measures aimed at improving poor student attendance levels. The Department of Education indicates that remote Indigenous attendance levels have fallen to just over 65 percent, and an estimated 2,000 children who are school-aged are not yet enrolled. By offering free SMS downloads including music and movies for students regularly attending class and introducing fines to parents of persistently missing children, the government believes it has defined a useful strategy to improve attendance.
The government plans to spend nearly $500,000 on a complete SMS message strategy including the ability to send SMS from Internet and direct text message to students and parents. The expenditure will also pay for advertising campaigns intended to promote the benefits of an education.
In addition, they are implementing changes to the school term because the cultural rules in remote communities is different and school days are often disrupted by local events or severe weather. Extending the school year and allowing flexibility in school terms ensure that students can attend the required 180 days of school while maintaining their cultural practices and ceremonies.
Those students who regularly attend school will be entered in programs for good attendance and earn free SMS along with movies and music downloads.

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Posted: March 23rd, 2011 under Mobile Computing, SMS Technology.
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In an effort to support new mums and increase breastfeeding rates, Queensland University of Technology, recently began an SMS text message trial. Senior lecturer, Dr. Danielle Gallegos started a preliminary study when she found mums struggling with breastfeeding indicated that SMS-based  resources where information could be found would be helpful. Plus, the group would be able to send SMS from Internet.

When designing the preliminary study, the School of Public Health group noticed that new mums – especially younger mums – used their mobile devices and cell phones as an essential way of connecting to their friends and family after the baby was delivered. Sending supportive message via text message seemed and ideal way to communicate with new mums because they could send and receive text messages throughout the day and night.

As an example, if a new mum is struggling with breastfeeding issues such as pain, social stereotypes, even getting their infant to respond, she can respond to an SMS message and receive an encouraging and helpful response along with hints as to how to get through the difficulties. In addition, new mums will have access to telephone hot lines specifically focused on helping women cope with breastfeeding issues and struggles, so they have the resources they need immediately at hand.

Dr. Gallegos indicated that not all women are comfortable with or capable of breastfeeding, and so the trial was designed to ensure that the SMS text messages were non judgemental. The messages avoid any overtones of guilt and stay away from implying the act of breastfeeding is easy and natural.

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Posted: March 22nd, 2011 under Mobile Computing, SMS Technology.
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Located over 350 kilometres from Perth and covering an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometres, the Shire of Gnowangerup in Western Australia has implemented an innovative SMS server solution to communicate crucial community information to business owners and civilians. Fast and reliable communication in an area with fire and flood seasons has never been so available. Rapid SMS messaging software communication between volunteer fire fighters and instant notices of harvest and vehicle movement bans ensure better safety for farmers and business owners on days of high risk.

The Shire of Gnowangerup council decided that the advantage of direct communication in all relevant emergency situations to business owners, stakeholders, and constituents trumped any other communication method. Because emergency personnel can Text Message from Computer or from their own mobile devices, they are not hampered by location when an emergency situation arises. When necessary and available, of course, they can also Send Text Messages Online to those who need the information.

The result has been secure and speedy communication that is essential when dealing with fires and notifying fire brigade volunteers. When roads are washed out due to high water, freight companies know before they send drivers in that direction. Participants in the network receive messages about community meetings and the Shire staff and health workers rely on text messages to communicate not only with each other but with their patients as well. Web SMS communication has proved to be so effective for the Shire of  Gnowangerup that they are laying claim to the title of ‘Australia’s best connected community’.

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Posted: March 22nd, 2011 under Mobile Computing, SMS Technology.
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