Development and Measurement of the Effects of a Digital Education Solution for Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

Development and Measurement of the Effects of a Digital Education Solution for Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital patient education solution, CHUVeduc@home, in improving preoperative preparation for patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty. In Switzerland, many patients receive joint replacements each year to relieve osteoarthritis-related pain. With shorter hospital stays, adequate preparation before surgery has become increasingly important.

A total of 160 patients will be randomized into two groups:

Intervention group: access to CHUVeduc@home before surgery. Control group: standard preoperative preparation (group information session and consultation).

All participants will complete questionnaires through the application. No additional visits are required. The intervention lasts approximately 12 weeks.

The primary goal is to determine whether digital education increases patient knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction, and facilitates recovery and return home after surgery. Participation is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time.

Study Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to improve preparation for hip or knee surgery. Each year in Switzerland, a large number of individuals receive a hip or knee prosthesis to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis. Through enhanced perioperative care programs such as the one implemented at CHUV, the length of hospital stay has decreased, making preoperative preparation increasingly important.

Current Practice:

Current practice includes participation in a group information session and a preoperative consultation. However, retaining all provided information can be challenging. To support more effective preparation, the investigators will evaluate a digital application called CHUVeduc@home, integrated within CHUV@home, which is already used during postoperative recovery.

Features of the Application:

The application provides the possibility to:

Review information at an individualized pace. Improve understanding of the surgical and recovery processes. Access quizzes and practical information sheets for training purposes.

Submit questions directly to the Telemonitoring Center team.

Study Design:

The study plans to include 160 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

A group using the application before surgery. A group following the usual preoperative preparation process.

All participants will use the application to complete study questionnaires. No additional appointments are required. The study duration is approximately 12 weeks. Participation is voluntary and can be discontinued at any time.

Expected Benefits:

The investigators anticipate that this digital approach to preoperative preparation may help participants feel more confident, better informed, and better supported during their return home after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male and female patients admitted to the CHUV musculoskeletal department during the study period
• primary total hip replacement or primary total knee replacement
• a Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) score >6

Exclusion Criteria:

• a RAPT score <6,
• knee/hip arthroplasty revision surgery
• inability to give informed consent or answer questionnaires knowledgeably due to language or cognitive impairment as reported in the medical record