Challenges with text-based messaging platform to perform social needs assessments of patients presenting with COVID-19-like illness at an urban academic emergency department

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the challenges encountered when using technology-based recruitment and electronic consenting to conduct social needs assessment of patients presenting with COVID-19-like illness at an urban academic emergency department. METHODS: COVID-19 Testing Registry (CTR) was established in the emergency department of UI Health in Chicago, Illinois. An online survey platform REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) was used, through which a standardized text message was sent to the mobile devices of eligible patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Patients were first provided with information on social services (e.g., health, food, transportation, housing). After e-consent, they were then asked to complete a social and health needs assessment on the first day and 14th day after COVID-19 testing. RESULTS: Out of 153 patients invited to participate in the survey, 32 (21%) opened the link and accessed the survey, 13 (8%) accessed the information on resources, 22 (14%) replied to the question on interest in research participation, while 17 (11%) expressed interest in learning about CTR. Ultimately, only 6 (4%) consented and only 1 (0.6%) eventually completed both surveys. The mean age for the total invited pool was 39 (±16), while mean age for those who consented was 37 (±11). CONCLUSIONS: In our urban, mostly minority population, technology-based recruitment and electronic consent proved to be significantly low yield. In the future, CTR aims to further analyze predictors of lower patient engagement and widening disparity when using digital tools. Further data collection will be conducted using phone-call based procedures in patients who contracted COVID-19 in the first 6 months of the pandemic.