Automated telephone communication systems promising for preventive healthcare and managing long-term conditions

ATCS interventions changed patients' health behaviours, improved clinical outcomes and increased healthcare uptake, with positive effects in several important areas including immunisation; screening for osteoporosis, cervical, breast and colorectal cancer; appointment attendance; and adherence to medications or tests. ATCS as part of a complex intervention probably decreased cancer pain and chronic pain as well as depression (moderate certainty).

Depending on the type of intervention, ATCS had small effects on outcomes for physical activity, weight management, alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus. ATCS had little or no effect on outcomes related to heart failure, hypertension, mental health or smoking cessation, and there was insufficient evidence to determine effects on preventing alcohol/substance misuse or managing illicit drug addiction, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, hypercholesterolaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, spinal cord dysfunction or psychological stress in carers. Only 4 trials reported adverse events, and it was unclear whether these related to the interventions.