HEDIR, for Health Educators

Texting to Enhance Health Education

Think of the cell phone revolution that we have experienced.  In less than 15 years we have seen phones that have gone from ‘bag phones’ that we had in our cars, to powerful mini-computers that we can now carry in our pockets.  Yes, I realize that cells phones have been around for several decades, but we’ve seen some incredible changes (both technologically and behaviorally) in the past 8-10 years.  Basically EVERYBODY has a cell phone;  MOST teens have cell phones;  MANY pre-teens now have their own cell phones.

For many, talking is the least focused activity that we do with our cell phones.  We can now access the internet, download videos, watch TV (live), as well as sending text messages.  What was once a side-event for cell users, ‘texting’ has now become a major activity.  We have seen a generation becomes ‘texters’ within just a few years.  The fact that ALMOST ALL cell phones now receive/send texts, and that many, many people are using texting as a form of communication is undeniable.  Those in the their 70s (and probably older) are now texting.

This blog isn’t to debate the value of whether it is appropriate, whether it is impacting other forms of communication, the etiquette of texting or using the cell phone inappropriately (i.e., classrooms, meetings) whether texting leads to an increase of accidents on the roads, or whether people are misusing texting.  The focus of this talk is simple:  cell phones and texting are here to stay;  most people have cell phones and almost all of those will do some form of texting.

So does texting have any professional value?  I think it does.  As an educator, I can use texting to update my students to bring particular items to class (i.e., calculator, laptop, textbook);  I can text people remind them of their appointment;  I can text groups that I am working with to schedule meetings;  and heaven forbid, I can use texting to organize emergency personnel (like they’re doing in Haiti).  It has GREAT value and each of us can only think of ways that we can use this to enhance our jobs.

The problem lies in that if you are texting you need to work with small buttons on your phones or you may be limited to sending the text to just one person.  I’ve figured out a way to avoid both of these items.  In fact, I’ve created a way that one can send a text from one’s email account (i.e., Gmail, Hotmail, POP mail such as Outlook).  It’s free, LEGAL, and EASY to do.

Let me give you the reasons:

1)  It’s easier for me to type on my computer than trying to text from a cell phone

2)  I can create a ‘nickname’ group with multiple cell numbers, so with just one email I can send to hundreds of cell phones.

3)  It’s fast.  I can send a text from my email and within seconds the person can receive it (it’s at least as fast as texting from one’s phone).

So how can one do this?

Besides needing the cell number (both the area code and the actual number) you need to know the provider that they are using.  There are dozens of users, but some of the major providers include the following:

1. Sprint
2. Verizon
3. Alltel
4. T-Mobile
5. AT&T

Each of these companies have special codes to send a text from one’s email.  Let me explain further.  My email is kittleson@hedir.org.  The ‘kittleson’ is my individual identifier and the ‘@hedir.org’ is the code that the email system knows where to send this message to ‘kittleson’.  The 1o digit phone number (area code and number), without dashes, is analogous to the ‘kittleson’.  The special code will depend on which provider the person is using.  Here are the codes for the above:

1. Sprint:  @messaging.sprintpcs.com
2. Verizon:  @vtext.com
3. Alltel:  @message.alltel.com
4. T-Mobile: @tmomail.net or @tmail.com or @tmomail.net (I’ve don’t know anybody who has T-Mobile, so I don’t know if all three or if only one works–if you have T-Mobile, contact me and I’ll test it out and make corrections)
   
5. AT&T:  @txt.att.net

If you have a different cell provider, check these two websites to find what that code is:

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/939/sms_email_cingular_nextel_sprint_tmobile_verizon_virgin/

OR http://www.topbits.com/how-to-send-text-messages-free.html

OK, so how do you do this.  First, if you have a cell phone test it out on yourself.

1. Compose a new email;  in the To:  line, type YOURPHONENUMBER@PHONECODE.  Let’s say you use Verizon and your phone number is 618-555-1212, the email (or I call it the ‘textmail’) address is:
   6185551212@vtext.com (note that this is a fake number)
2. Type something BRIEF in subject line
3. In the message box type your message.  Note that you need to keep it short (texts are restricted to 160 characters, including spaces) AND remove any ’signatures’, ‘backgrounds’ that your email may have.  For example, at the bottom of my email I have my name, title, address, websites and other things.  Those should be removed.
4. Click ’send’

Within a few seconds (minutes if your connections are weak) you will get your message.

Now, you could repeat this but instead of one ‘email’, you could put two.  Thus, your ‘To:” line looks like:  6185551212@vtext.com,6185551234@message.alltel.com   Separate each ‘email’ by a comma.

OKAY, now let’s imagine you want to create a series of ‘Nickname’ groups.  For example, I teach a course with the prefix HED 526–it’s our evaluation course for our MPH and PhD students in health education.  I want to include all students’  ‘textmails’.  I have their numbers and providers and have them typed up.  To create a ‘Group’ varies among various email programs.

Let me explain how to do it with Outlook.

1. Open your contacts list,  right click and highlight ‘Create New Distribution List’ (Click Here to see an example)
2. Name the list (Click Here to see an example)
3. Click Add members (Click Here to see an example) and Copy (from your list of numbers) and paste in the members line
4. Click Save

Now, go back to your Inbox of your email, and click ‘compose’ message

1. Click the ‘To’ button;  when you do you’ll get a list of names in your contact list. (Click Here to see an example)
2. Find the name of the new distribution list, click it
3. Put something in the subject line
4. Type your message (Click Here to see an example)

Click Submit/Send

Ways to use this:

I’ve already provided you some ideas above.  You could create such lists to remind students to bring their textbook to class;  you could direct people to a particular location for a meeting.  Imagine if you oversaw the Emergency Preparedness Unit in your county…you could put the entire list of all members of that group and send textmails to them using your email.

Imagine a physician’s office.  Instead of calling people the day before an appointment you could send them a text from your receptionists email system.  A three minute effort at 4:30 to remind folks of their appointment the next day could be a great time-saver for your staff and patients.  All you would need to do is to request from your patient their cell number and their provider.  One could even tailor mass textmails to inform the person of the specific time, date, and other instructions.  This would take a little more work, but it is relatively easy to do.  If you’re interested in this, you can contact me to set up a time to consult.

Now, I realize that some people will say the following:

1. It’s not necessary to do this;
2. Not everybody has a cell phone or receive texts
3. My clients are very old and couldn’t do this

My answers to all of these is relatively simple.  For number 1, no, it’s not necessary…neither is it necessary for you to call your patients the day before;  nor is it necessary to remind students to bring their books, calculator, laptops, etc.  But it does have save time, frustration, and makes things more efficient.  For number 2, you need to relook at society.  Almost EVERYBODY has a cell phone.  Are you not doing something because a small percentage may not benefit?  If that is the case, then let’s not use the internet for anything because we know that .5% of Americans don’t have access to it.  For point 3, you are not giving credit to your patients, clients, or students.  If in doubt, ask them.  You don’t need to have everybody buy into it…but most will.

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