Discussion
We have provided a set of principles underpinned by evidence
from randomized controlled trials to inform implementation of
SMS in primary care. Evidence for the effectiveness of a number
of these principles used in the Breakthrough Collaboratives
has been described by Glasgow et al.11 We acknowledge that
these recommendations are most likely to be implemented
when health care systems are able to afford to offer comprehensive
programs for the patients who are willing and able to participate.
The more comprehensive and intensive the programs,the more likely they are to be effective in improving patient
outcomes. In contrast, for disadvantaged populations, arguably
the people who most need SMS, limited access may impede the
implementation of the recommendations. In any case, embedding
these principles into routine clinical practice is difficult;
SMS is the least implemented of the six elements of the CCM.12
Bodenheimer et al. documented the barriers to CCM, which
included time, costs and the lack of reimbursement, inadequate
information technology, and physician resistance to implementing
chronic care management.97 They recommended three
redesign elements: (1) pre-activating patients before the clinic
visit; (2) planned visits with a care manager who provides education
and medical management to patients, either individually
or in groups; and (3) sustained follow-up, either face to face,
by telephone, or electronically provided98 by a care team.99
Glasgow et al.12 provide a more detailed, sequential approach to
integrating SMS, which is consistent with Bodenheimer, and
expand the sustained follow-up to include linkages with community
support and education programs.