Influence of patient engagement technology on reported perioperative experiences of patients undergoing lung resection.

Objectives: Patient engagement technologies (PETs) are web-based platforms that provide a means to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as well as guide patients through their surgical journey. The optimal method for collecting PROs is unknown. PROs are an important measure of health care quality We sought to describe the experience of patients undergoing lung resection at our institution using an app-based PET platform. Methods: Patients undergoing elective lung resection surgery from 2019 to 2023 who enrolled with a PET were identified. Patients received educational content; health checks; and surveys, including the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10 and EuroQOL 5 Dimension surveys. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine utilization and initial observations. Results: We enrolled 952 patients who underwent lung resection, of whom 88% (838 out of 952) activated the PET and completed the setup survey. More than half (436 out of 838) of patients were women and 68% (229 out of 335) had adequate health literacy. Preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10 and EuroQOL 5 Dimension surveys were completed by 73% (613 out of 838), whereas 37% (309 out of 838) completed an inpatient health check and 39% (325 out of 838) completed a 1-month follow-up survey. Overall, 91% (179 out of 196) reported the PET improved their confidence in postoperative self-care and as a result 86% (169 out of 196) reported feeling less worried about their surgical journey. Use of the PET allowed 39% (77 out of 196) to avoid telephone calls to the hospital care team and 7.6% (15 out of 196) avoided emergency room visits. Conclusions: Patient engagement technologies provide a way to collect PROs. Among patients who utilize PETs in their perioperative care, there is a reported reduction in telephone calls to providers and emergency room visits, promotion of empowerment in self-care, and reduction of anxiety.