A Systematic Review of Smartphone Applications That Address Patient Care in the Peri-Operative Period.

Background

The use of smartphone applications by patients can be utilized to transform peri-operative care. With the ever-evolving landscape, an updated systematic review is needed in this field.

Objective

This study aims to summarize the smartphone-based applications used by patients as discussed in the academic literature in the setting of peri-operative patient care.

Methods

Seven databases were searched to identify articles discussing the use of smartphone applications by patients peri-operatively. Articles were included if they examined the use of smartphone-based applications in the setting of the peri-operative period and examined the application's usability and effectiveness. Each paper was appraised using CASP checklists and analyzed using the thematic synthesis method.

Results

Overall, 18 articles were selected for this study from 8204 articles initially obtained. The themes that emerged from the analysis include the following benefits of smartphone applications in peri-operative patient care: (1) patient education and instruction, (2) clear communication, (3) decreasing complications and the use of healthcare resources, (4) post-operative monitoring and pain control, (5) improved patient support, satisfaction, and safety. Other themes also emerged such as requirements of a practical smartphone application, what to include in smartphone application assessments, limitations of smartphone application studies, and future directions of smartphone applications regarding patient peri-operative care.

Conclusions

The landscape of mobile applications is exponentially growing and their use in the peri-operative period is imminent for the future. Their use can improve communication between surgical care professionals, enhance patient care in the peri-operative period, and strengthen medical education. Further studies, validation tools, and improvements will be required to implement their use and demonstrate outcomes that can guide recommendations surrounding their use.