E-Health-Supported Preoperative Education

Dokuz Eylul University128 enrolled

Overview

In the context of patient education, the integration of mobile applications-an e-health modality-among healthcare professionals and patients has garnered significant attention alongside technological advancements. Mobile applications offer distinct advantages, notably the vast global population capable of accessing and utilizing these digital tools. A study evaluating the impact of mobile applications on the recovery of patients undergoing ambulatory surgery demonstrated that the quality of recovery was superior in the intervention group. In research investigating mobile application-based education following breast cancer surgery, significant improvements were observed in pain levels, affected shoulder functions, and anxiety levels within the intervention group . Among patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 98% of those who received education via a mobile application reported that the application was beneficial to their recovery process . Furthermore, in a study involving a mobile application for patients undergoing heart valve surgery, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower probabilities of hospitalization, emergency department visits, and complications . An integrative review of mobile applications in the health education of surgical patients noted that while research has involved bariatric, orthopedic, colorectal, mastectomy, urological, and neurological surgical patients, there is an emphasized need for further nursing research utilizing emerging communication technologies. To date, no studies evaluating the effectiveness of preoperative education delivered via mobile application for patients undergoing thoracic surgery have been identified. Initiating preoperative preparation for patients scheduled for thoracic surgery is anticipated to positively influence postoperative recovery and quality of life, highlighting the necessity for research in this domain.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years and older * Patients with full spatial and temporal orientation * Patients without significant hearing or vision impairments * Patients with the ability to read and write * Patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery due to a lung mass * Patients who voluntarily agree to participate and provide written informed consent * Patients who own and can operate a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * Patients scheduled for emergency thoracic surgery * Patients with physical limitations that prevent mobilization or participation in study tests * Patients with cognitive impairments (as they may fail to provide accurate data via the app)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L)

Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Turkish version of the EQ-5D-5L scale. The scale consists of two parts: a descriptive system covering five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system provides a health state profile across five levels for each dimension. The EQ VAS is a vertical 0-100 scale where 0 represents "the worst health you can imagine" and 100 represents "the best health you can imagine." Assessments will be conducted 10 days before surgery and 10 days after surgery. The study will utilize the official Turkish translation provided by the EuroQol Research Foundation.

Time frame: 10 days before surgery and 10 days after surgery.

Postoperative Physical Capacity (6-Minute Walk Test)

Postoperative physical capacity will be evaluated using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). This test measures the maximum distance (in meters) a patient can walk at a self-selected pace on a flat surface in 6 minutes. The mobilization levels and total walking time (in minutes) will also be recorded to compare the physical recovery and functional capacity between the intervention group (mobile app-based training) and the control group (standard training).

Time frame: Day 3 post-operatively

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

Evaluation of respiratory complications based on clinical signs and laboratory findings. A complication is defined as meeting two or more criteria, including respiratory distress, abnormal breath sounds, and abnormal white blood cell counts (leukopenia or leukocytosis) according to standard clinical reference ranges.

Time frame: Day 3 post-operatively

State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I)

The State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I) is a 20-item self-report scale that measures current anxiety. Scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating higher anxiety levels. It uses a 4-point Likert-type scale for each item.

Time frame: 10 days before surgery and Day 3 post-operatively

Length of Hospital Stay

The length of hospital stay (measured in days) will be recorded and compared between the intervention and control groups. The duration will be calculated from the day of surgery until the day of discharge. Data will be obtained from the patients' medical records after discharge to evaluate whether mobile application-based training has an impact on the timing of clinical recovery and hospital resource utilization.

Time frame: From the date of surgery until the date of hospital discharge

E-Health-Supported Preoperative Education

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes