An Innovative Alliance between Technology and Medical Consulting
The marriage between a smart mobile application and an in-person health advisor is proving to be the key to optimizing compliance with pre- and postoperative indications, as well as improving surgical outcomes, according to a recent study led by medical-scientific experts from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in the United States.
Published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, this study shed light on the positive impact of a digital health platform called Pip Care. Patients who used this application managed to reduce their hospital stay by almost a day and reduce the risk of readmission by 50% within the first week after surgery, compared to those who did not use the tool.
Facilitating Surgical Preparation and Recovery
Dr. Aman Mahajan, Peter and Eva Safar Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, notes that adherence to a perioperative plan is crucial to patient health and outcomes, but compliance is challenging.
Pip Care simplifies pre- and post-operative instructions into manageable daily tasks, helping patients follow recommended protocols, from improving diet and physical activity to receiving emotional support and quitting smoking.
The Success of Hybrid Telemedicine
To evaluate the impact of Pip Care, 128 patients who used the app were compared with 268 who did not, all scheduled for similar surgeries. The results showed a significant reduction in hospital stay and risk of readmission in those who used Pip Care.
Patients who used Pip Care had an average of 6.7 sessions with their digital health advisor, demonstrating high engagement and satisfaction with the app.
Empowering Patients for Better Results
Dr. Mahajan highlights that Pip Care provides a vital connection for patients, giving them a deeper understanding of their surgical process and encouraging them to actively participate in their recovery. This collaboration between technology and healthcare is proving to be a fundamental advance in improving surgical outcomes.
