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. 2024 Nov 7:59:102557.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2024.102557. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Patient experiences with a smartphone application dedicated to postoperative recovery after elective arthroplasty

Abdul-Rahman Gomaa  1 , Momna Sajjad Raja  2 , Sara Monteiro  1 , Sriram Srinivasan  1 , Srinivasan Shyamsundar  1 , Hamidreza Khairandish  1 , Faizal Rayan  1
Affiliations

Patient experiences with a smartphone application dedicated to postoperative recovery after elective arthroplasty

Abdul-Rahman Gomaa et al. J Clin Orthop Trauma. .

Abstract

Introduction: In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital health technologies, the widespread use of smartphones has paved the way for innovative applications designed to enhance healthcare experiences. This introduction underscores the global prevalence of smartphone users and their potential in healthcare, particularly exemplified by therapeutic apps such as the 'Post Op' smartphone application. Focused on postoperative support, this app prioritises user-friendly design, data recording, and adherence to national standards. The study aims to evaluate the app's success in achieving these objectives, highlighting its continuous improvement based on real user feedback and its potential impact on improving patient experiences and recovery processes.

Methods and materials: A cohort of elective joint arthroplasty procedure patients at Kettering General Hospital (KGH), spanning a timeframe of one to 12 months post-surgery were surveyed over the telephone regarding their experience of the 'Post Op' smartphone utilising a custom, well-structured standardised questionnaire.

Results: The study surveyed 42 consecutive patients who had undergone elective joint arthroplasty procedures at Kettering General Hospital, including 22 total hip replacement (THR) and 20 total knee replacement (TKR) patients. The respondents, with a median age of 66 years, provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about the 'Post Op' smartphone application. On a scale of 1-6, the mean ease-of-use score was 5.31, with only two THR patients providing lower scores due to difficulties with photography. However, the app's overall functionality, particularly in uploading photos, received a mean score of 4.78. Despite some technical issues, 97.6 % of respondents would recommend the app, emphasising its positive impact on confidence in the recovery and reducing unnecessary healthcare visits. Narrative responses highlighted the app's simplicity, support, and prompt communication with healthcare teams. Overall, the feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction with the 'Post Op' application among elective arthroplasty patients, showcasing its potential benefits for postoperative care.

Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the impact of the 'Post Op' smartphone application on postoperative care, acknowledging both its successes and areas for enhancement. Further research and iterative improvements are crucial for optimising patient experiences and ensuring the app aligns effectively with healthcare needs.

Keywords: Patient experience; Patient feedback; Post-op; Postoperative care; Remote follow-up; Surgical app; Telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Faizal Rayan reports a relationship with Post Op that includes: board membership and equity or stocks. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. AI tool (Grammarly) was used for language and grammar.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A breakdown of the responses to the question of how easy patients found the app for sending photos of their wound (1 being difficult, 6 being easy).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patient user interface of the smartphone application, ‘Post Op’, dedicated to postoperative recovery after Elective Arthroplasty.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Clinician user interface of the smartphone application ‘Post Op’.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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