Chat

This article reviews how to use the chat feature of the app. While the basics of Chat are also covered in this article, here we will dive into how to access the chat, differentiate between Patient-Provider and Group Chats, how to set up an alias, and how to send/receive messages. 

Step 1: Find the Chat

If your app has a chat, you will see the Chat icon in the navigation bar. Alternatively, the chat will be listed in the More section. This means that you will have the opportunity to chat with your study coordinator and/or other members of your program.

Step 2: Distinguishing between Patient-Provider Chats and Group Chats

There are two types of chats in the Pattern Health App. You may see one type or both, depending on the way your program is set up.  

Patient-Provider:  this chat is a space for you to send messages directly to the study coordinator or clinic coordinator. Be sure to check with your program coordinators to confirm that this is the most efficient way to reach them. In some cases, coordinators will prefer that you reach out to them via email or by phone. 

In your app, you can distinguish a Patient-Provider Chat from a Group Chat by the title. The Patient-Provider Chat will have the same name as your study group or clinic. This direct message will NOT have the phrase "group chat" in the title. 

Group Chats: these chats are a space for you to communicate with the other participants in your program. These spaces may be moderated, which means that the study or clinic coordinator will have to read and approve your message before it can be sent to the rest of the group. 

In your app, you can distinguish Group Chats from the Patient-Provider Chat because most Group Chats will have the words "group chat" in the title. 

Again, your app may or may not have both types of chats. When in doubt, please ask your coordinator what type of chat(s) are included in your app before you send a message.

Also, please keep in mind that you should never send PHI in a chat. 

Step 3: Set Up Your Chat Alias

When you click on a chat for the first time, you might be asked to pick an alias and icon. This means your group chat is anonymous.

Several studies and clinics do this to protect the identities of their participants. After you set up your alias, you will be able to send and receive messages. 

Step 4: Send a Chat

Select the chat you wish to send a message in. Begin typing your message, and then click send. 

After you hit send, you might see a line of text under your message that says Pending Moderator Approval. This means that you are in a moderated chat. The moderator (usually a member of your study team or clinic) will read and approve your message. Once they approve, the other members will receive your message.

Step 5: Review New Chat Notifications

When there is a new message in a Patient-Provider or Group Chat, you will receive a push notification and an in-app notification.

In the app, if you have the chat icon in the navigation bar, you will also see a red notification that indicates the number of new messages. 

When you click on the chat section of the app, the red icons will show you where the new messages can be found.