A Randomized Trial Comparing Telephone Tree, Text Messaging, and Instant Messaging App for Emergency Department Staff Recall for Disaster Response

Abstract

Both the phone tree and IMA groups had a significantly higher response rate than the SMS group. There was no significant difference between the proportion of responses at 45 minutes in the phone tree and the IMA arms. This study suggests that an IMA may be a viable alternative to the traditional phone tree method. Limitations of the study include volunteer bias and the fact that there was only one communication drill, which did not allow staff members randomized to the IMA and SMS groups to fully get familiar with the new staff recall methods. HomierV, HamadR, LarocqueJ, ChasséP, KhalilE, FrancJM. A randomized trial comparing telephone tree, text messaging, and instant messaging app for emergency department staff recall for disaster response. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(5):471-477.