A Web-Based Communication Tool for Postoperative Follow-up and Pain Assessment at Home After Primary Knee Arthroplasty: Feasibility and Usability Study

Torbjørn Rian, Kari Sand, Eirik Skogvoll, Pål Klepstad, Tina S Wik, Torbjørn Rian, Kari Sand, Eirik Skogvoll, Pål Klepstad, Tina S Wik

Abstract

Background: We report the use of an electronic tool, Eir (Eir Solutions AS, Norway), for symptom registration at home after knee arthroplasty. This electronic tool was used in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing 3 different analgesic regimens with respect to postoperative pain and side effects.

Objective: The aim of this substudy was to investigate this electronic tool for symptom registrations at home with respect to usability (ie, how easy it was to use) and feasibility (ie, how well the tool served its purpose).

Methods: To assess the tool's usability, all participants were invited to fill out the 10-item System Usability Scale (SUS) after using the tool for 8 days. To assess feasibility, data regarding the participants' ability to use the tool with or without assistance or reminders were collected qualitatively on a daily basis during the study period.

Results: A total of 134 patients completed the RCT. Data concerning feasibility of the web-based tool were collected from all 134 patients. The SUS was completed by 119 of the 134 patients; 70.2% (94/134) of the patients managed to use the tool at home without any technical support. All technical challenges were related to the login procedure or internet access. The mean SUS score was 89.6 (median 92.5; range 22.5-100).

Conclusions: This study showed high feasibility and high usability of the Eir web tool. The received reports gave the necessary information needed for both research data and clinical follow-up.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02604446; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02604446.

Keywords: feasibility studies; follow-up at home; mobile application; pain treatment; postoperative follow-up; primary knee arthroplasty, pain assessment.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

©Torbjørn Rian, Kari Sand, Eirik Skogvoll, Pål Klepstad, Tina S Wik. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 28.04.2022.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Picture of the application in use with English text (Norwegian text was used in the study).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relationship between tech group and System Usability Scale (SUS) score.

References

    1. Winther SB, Foss OA, Wik TS, Davis SP, Engdal M, Jessen V, Husby OS. 1-year follow-up of 920 hip and knee arthroplasty patients after implementing fast-track. Acta Orthop. 2015 Feb;86(1):78–85. doi: 10.3109/17453674.2014.957089.
    1. Chevallier T, Buzancais G, Occean B, Rataboul P, Boisson C, Simon N, Lannelongue A, Chaniaud N, Gricourt Y, Lefrant J, Cuvillon P. Feasibility of remote digital monitoring using wireless Bluetooth monitors, the Smart Angel™ app and an original web platform for patients following outpatient surgery: a prospective observational pilot study. BMC Anesthesiol. 2020 Oct 08;20(1):259. doi: 10.1186/s12871-020-01178-5. 10.1186/s12871-020-01178-5
    1. Pombo N, Araújo P, Viana J, da Costa MD. Evaluation of a ubiquitous and interoperable computerised system for remote monitoring of ambulatory post-operative pain: a randomised controlled trial. Technol Health Care. 2014;22(1):63–75. doi: 10.3233/THC-130774.80752G452172TQ2G
    1. Hajewski C, Anthony CA, Rojas EO, Westermann R, Willey M. Detailing postoperative pain and opioid utilization after periacetabular osteotomy with automated mobile messaging. J Hip Preserv Surg. 2019 Dec;6(4):370–376. doi: 10.1093/jhps/hnz049. hnz049
    1. Lyman S, Hidaka C, Fields K, Islam W, Mayman D. Monitoring patient recovery after THA or TKA using mobile technology. HSS J. 2020 Dec 12;16(Suppl 2):358–365. doi: 10.1007/s11420-019-09746-3. 9746
    1. Meirte J, Hellemans N, Anthonissen M, Denteneer L, Maertens K, Moortgat P, Van Daele U. Benefits and disadvantages of electronic patient-reported outcome measures: systematic review. JMIR Perioper Med. 2020 Apr 03;3(1):e15588. doi: 10.2196/15588. v3i1e15588
    1. Rian T, Skogvoll E, Hofstad J, Høvik L, Winther SB, Husby VS, Klaksvik J, Egeberg T, Sand K, Klepstad P, Wik TS. Tapentadol vs oxycodone for postoperative pain treatment the first 7 days after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial. Pain. 2021 Feb 01;162(2):396–404. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002026.00006396-202102000-00008
    1. Krogstad H, Brunelli C, Sand K, Andersen E, Garresori H, Halvorsen T, Haukland EC, Jordal F, Kaasa S, Loge JH, Løhre ET, Raj SX, Hjermstad MJ. Development of EirV3: a computer-based tool for patient-reported outcome measures in cancer. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2017 Nov;1:1–14. doi: 10.1200/CCI.17.00051.
    1. Krogstad H, Sundt-Hansen SM, Hjermstad MJ, Hågensen LÅ, Kaasa S, Loge JH, Raj SX, Steinsbekk A, Sand K. Usability testing of EirV3-a computer-based tool for patient-reported outcome measures in cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2019 May;27(5):1835–1844. doi: 10.1007/s00520-018-4435-3.10.1007/s00520-018-4435-3
    1. Brooke J. SUS: A "quick and dirty" usability scale. In: Jordan PW, Thomas B, McClelland IL, Weerdmeester B, editors. Usability Evaluation In Industry. London, England: Taylor & Francis; 1996.
    1. Brooke J. SUS: a retrospective. Journal of Usability Studies. 2013;8(2):29–40.
    1. Sauro J. Measuring usability with the System Usability Scale (SUS) MeasuringU. 2011. Feb 03, [2022-04-02].

Source: PubMed

Patrocinadores e Colaboradores

Condições médicas

Intervenções de drogas

3
Se inscrever