Texts and calls aim to steer frequent ER users to other care

This study tested two ways to help people who often go to the emergency room (ER) find other places to get care. Over 1,100 adults who had visited the ER four or more times in the past six months were randomly assigned to receive either automated text messages or a phone call from a health worker after an ER visit. The messages guided them to alternatives like urgent care or their primary doctor. Researchers tracked whether these patients returned to the ER afterward to see which outreach method worked better.