Using teen technology to get them to do something responsible! You gotta love it. According to a CNN report, researchers are looking at whether text messaging might be a good way to remind teenagers to take required medication they accidentally-on-purpose forget to administer themselves.

Doctors and parents alike have been stumped by the tendency of young people, flush with independence and increased responsibility, to exercise their individuality by going without the medication needed to manage chronic conditions. Noticing that teens from all economic groups seemed to have cell phones and kept texting on them throughout doctor visits, the researchers got the idea of having a clinic employee send a message to teens at a time they chose with a reminder to take those meds.

It's an interesting idea, and the sort of thing that might really appeal to kids. But the talk of texting in doctor's offices gave me another idea. How 'bout some sort of texting service for parents and patients cooling their heels endlessly in waiting and examining rooms? A little "We haven't forgotten you!" or "Fifteen more minutes, really!" from time to time would make us feel less abandoned, and if they threw in a couple of those smiley faces, it wouldn't hurt.