Use of a Smartphone APP for the Management of Postoperative Home Recovery

Use of a Smartphone APP for the Management of Postoperative Home Recovery: an Exploratory Study

To calculate the incidence rates of postoperative adverse events (moderate and severe) and rehospitalization in patients undergoing thoracic surgery followed in follow-up using a smartphone application.

This is an observational, exploratory, cohort, retrospective study. For this study, data acquired on patients who participated in the trial period of the app will be retrospectively analyzed. Our Operating Unit used the care4today app on a trial basis during the period between March 1 and October 31, 2023, focusing on monitoring the first 30 days after discharge. The app was offered to patients scheduled for thoracic surgery involving access to the pleura. After a few setup questions, the app was activated upon discharge. For the first 15 days it sent daily questions via notification regarding general health status, postoperative pain, respiratory capacity, and resumption of activities. From day 15 to day 30 after discharge, questions were asked every 4 days. All relevant responses were forwarded via e-mail to the clinician in the form of an orange or red alert in relation to lesser or greater severity.

Patients were treated according to clinical practice in accordance with the clinician's judgment and the information in the Data Sheet of each individual product of any concomitant therapies administered according to clinical practice. Informed consent will be collected during follow-ups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged ≥18 years
• Patients undergoing thoracic surgery
• Patients who used the care4today app
• Obtaining informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• nothing