Mobile App Improves Joint Replacement Surgery Outcomes

With close to 90% of the U.S. population having access to mobile devices, mobile health (mHealth) technology could transform how health care is delivered. Despite widespread recognition of its potential, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of mHealth technology in a health care setting.

Roberta Schwartz, PhD Stephen Incavo, MD Courtenay R. Bruce, JD, MA In an observational study published in the journal JMIR mHealth and uHealth, Houston Methodist investigators, led by Roberta Schwartz, PhD, chief innovation officer of Houston Methodist Hospital, show that effective use of patient-facing mHealth technology can significantly improve both clinical and patient-centered care outcomes.

The study compared the outcomes of 2,059 patients who underwent a total hip or knee replacement by orthopedic surgeons who used mHealth technology with 2,554 similar patients of nonparticipating surgeons for a year. In the mHealth group, the patients received one text or email message per day, some of which required responses while others were only informational, for 20 days before and 30 days following the joint replacement.

“In our study, we observed a significant improvement in clinical outcomes among patients who used mHealth technology,” said senior author Courtenay R. Bruce, JD, MA, associate professor of medicine. “The participating group had a significantly shorter average hospital stay and lower post-surgical hospital readmission rates compared with the nonparticipating group. In addition, the participating group also had better patient-centered care outcomes such as patient engagement, experience and satisfaction.”

According to Bruce, a more engaged patient is a better informed and more empowered patient. And this ultimately translates to improved outcomes.

We now know that mHealth technology is not only effective but significantly enhances patient outcomes. This is particularly important in the context of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic that has made mHealth services an integral part of patient care. The results of this study were so encouraging that what started as a small pilot program in a few hospital departments has rapidly expanded to include 50 different therapeutic areas, benefiting ”more than 300,000 patients.

– Roberta Schwartz, PhD

Executive Vice President

Chief Innovation Officer

Houston Methodist