The study seeks to explore the ability of text messaging to shape health behavior among the pediatric population as well as the adolescent population by reviewing studies published on the issue in the period from 2004 to May 15, 2011.
Individual research reports were identified through an electronic search based on the first and the second authors. The duration of the search was limited from April 2004 and May 2011. The assistance of different librarians was sought when searching the various databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, as well as the PsycINFO (Militello, Kelly & Melnyk, 2012). The search for the reports used different combinations of terms related to cellular phones, text messaging, short message service, health as well as other related terms. The search description was also limited to an age bracket of less than or equal to eighteen years.
The first requirement for study inclusion in the review was that the design of the study must be a randomized controlled trial or a quasi-experiment. The other qualification of the study was that the population under study must have been limited to an age bracket of less than or equal to eighteen years as well as the parents of these participants. It was also necessary that the study’s intervention should have included the use of text messaging to impact health-related behavior. The study should also have measured a healthy behavior outcome through the application of pre-/posttests. For a study also to be included in the analysis, it must have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
By following the search criteria, the study identified a total of thirty-seven articles with only eight articles that represented seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
Most of the studies applied the randomized control trial design while one applied a randomized crossover design study with the final one using a quasi-experimental design.
All the studies included in the analysis were consistent with their conclusion that mobile phones form an integral part of an individual’s life and as such have the potential to impact health behavior. The studies also show that mobile phones offer an omnipresent aspect which, when coupled with the adaptability of messages can allow clinicians to deliver effective health-impacting messages (Militello et al., 2012). The studies also consistently conclude that mobile phones perform diverse functions and as such can be used to intercede in varied instances where health interventions are required. The studies also conclude that text messaging is effective in overcoming most barriers related to time and distance to ensure the timely delivery of healthcare messages.
Credibility
The article identified the topic clearly and set the right expectations of what was to be covered at the onset in an attempt to prepare the reader’s mind.
The study indicates the methods that were used to carry out the review. The study notes that the first and second authors conducted a review of the manuscript titles as well as the abstracts. This was then followed by the extraction of predetermined data from all the studies. The final step involved the review of all the data that was extracted which also involved the discussion of any discrepancies that were observed.
The search for the study reports was carried out in a comprehensive manner as it included the necessary words that were aimed at yielding the intended results. The search for the reports was also done in multiple databases that have several studies that also enhanced the comprehensiveness of the search.
The reviewers applied a quality assessment for the identified studies based on various indicators. The quality indicators comprised of aspects such as the use of randomized controlled trial design, avoidance of selective reporting as well as the ability to detect missing data. Other quality indicators were the application of a pre-/posttest design and the adequate use of comparison groups.
The study designs were displayed in a table format to minimize the omission of the important details. The findings were also discussed in sufficient detail in the discussion section of the research article.
The study does not merely report the findings but carries out a synthesis of the study findings. The synthesis is carried out in a thematic manner as the researchers tend to identify the different themes that emerge from the study findings.
The reviewers encountered some differences in findings in two of the studies that were reviewed. The differences in outcomes were explored, and the possible reasons for the differences were outlined. For example, when one study indicated that there was no change in the physical activity among the adolescents with type 1 diabetes, it was noted that there was a lack of enough follow-up.
The reviewers made a clear distinction between the conclusions that were based on the consistency in findings. The reviewers identified the findings that were common among the studies that were reviewed as well as the findings that were unique to individual studies.
Some of the conclusions included in the review were supported by two or more findings from the reviewed studies. The conclusion that mobile phones form an integral part of an individual’s life and as such have the potential to impact health behavior was supported by findings from three studies. Another finding that was supported by several findings is that which indicated that messages can be adapted to allow clinicians to deliver effective health-impacting messages (Militello et al., 2012). The studies also consistently conclude that mobile phones perform diverse functions and as such can be used to intercede in varied instances where health interventions are required. Finally, the conclusion that text messaging is effective in overcoming most barriers related to time and distance to ensure the timely delivery of healthcare messages was also supported by several findings from the study.
The conclusions that are provided in the review are credible as they offer workable solutions on how to use mobile phones to impact health behavior. The conclusions are also credible as they are backed by necessary findings to support the conclusion.
Conclusion
The use of integrative research reviews to compile evidence on clinical issues in an effective manner of bringing together the findings from various studies. When reviewed in an integrative manner the findings can be synthesized to establish their applicability in resolving clinical issues. The integrative review can be used as a basis for establishing evidence-based care for particular clinical situations.
I would be willing to apply for the integrative research review in my clinical practice to enable me to establish the best mode of resolving problems in the clinical area. The application of integrative research reviews in my clinical practice would also ensure that I continue to develop myself professionally by widening my knowledge scope.
Reference
Militello, L.K., Kelly, S.A., & Melnyk, B. M. (2012). Systematic Review of Text- Messaging Interventions to Promote Healthy Behaviors in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations: Implications for Clinical Practice and Research. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 9 (2), 66-77.