Support groups can be a beneficial part of mental health treatment for individuals who face stigma in their diagnosis. A journal article published in the Journal of Social Issues provides that group support, “...it is suggested that the shared identity of members of stigmatized groups provides a basis for giving, receiving, and benefiting from social support…” Tracking in this setting allows for the evaluation of the efficacy of these groups as well as beneficial monitoring of patient progress.
The function of tracking in support group management
Tracking of support group communications is monitoring different parts of the group's dynamic and individual participants' progress. Outside of sessions, it is a necessary extension of the mental health care the treatment provides.
The tracking allows for setting boundaries in communication taken outside the boundaries of sessions. The tracking process allows mental health professionals to assess who needs additional support or when the content discussed in group sessions needs to be adjusted to meet emotional goals.
How automated text messaging benefits support group tracking
The function of text messaging in support group tracking can veer away from an administrative function, such as reminders about upcoming sessions, to a more functional approach tailored to support the mental health aspect of the group in a more targeted manner.
Automated text messaging specifically offers an easy approach to providing patients with mood check-ins, brief surveys after sessions, and feedback on their mental health outside of the group setting. The responses from these emails lend themselves to a more effective tracking system, allowing providers to better assess the impact on each member.
How to use automated text messaging in support group tracking
- Choose a secure HIPAA compliant text messaging system that supports both automation and personalization.
- Use segmentation to divide the groups based on their specific need, diagnoses, and progress levels.
- Create personalized templates for automated messages that take a more general approach.
- Schedule messages strategically, like sending messages the day before a session or key points between meetings for emotional check-ins.
- Program automated messages to trigger alerts for facilitators when certain keywords or responses are used.
- Track engagement and response rates to monitor how often participants engage with automated texts.
- Provide an opt-out option.
FAQs
What is automated text messaging?
Software that sends prescheduled or triggered text messages.
Is consent necessary to send automated texts to members of a support group?
Yes.
What is an EHR?
An electronic health record is a digital version of a patient's medical history and health information.
Kirsten Peremore
