SMS reminders in the UK national health service: an evaluation of its impact on "no-shows" at hospital out-patient clinics.

The ownership of cell phones and use of short message service (SMS) are sufficiently common in the United Kingdom to be exploited by health services providers. The study evaluates their use to reduce nonattendance at out-patient clinics. The impact is modest, but so also is the cost, about 7.50 pounds (13.13 dollars, 10.88 euros) per "no-show" avoided.