The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of self-care program using Short message service
(SMS), e-mail, or telephone call on self-care compliance and nutritional status in maintenance of hemodialysis patient.
Methods: Nonequivalent pretest-posttest control experimental design was used. Ninety-six patients were allocated to
control (n=24), SMS (n=24), e-mail (n=24), or telephone (n=24) group from four hospitals. Experimental groups received
self-care program about hemodialysis diet, drug administration, exercise, and fistula care by SMS, e-mail, or telephone
call respectively at 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Subjective self-care compliance, and objective self-care compliance
including interdialytic weight of SMS and telephone groups were significantly increased than those of control
groups. However, nutritional status of SMS and e-mail groups were significantly improved than those of contol groups
in albumin and protein level. Conclusion: Self-care program using SMS and telephone call were effective on promoting
self-care compliance, while SMS and e-mail were effective on improving nutritional status. The pop-up remaining
effect and easy accessible effect of SMS message in busy daily life was considered as an alarm to control fluid and diet.