App Helps Patients Recover Faster After Major Abdominal Surgery

Patients who used an electronic health app after major abdominal surgery recovered nearly 2 weeks earlier than those who did not have access to the app, according to a study¹ published in The Lancet Digital Health.

“The ikHerstel app is a … scientifically researched and personalized recovery plan via your phone. We make it as easy as possible for the patient and provide all information and personal guidance and monitor remotely whether everything is going according to plan,” said study coauthor Johannes R. Anema, MD, professor of occupational health at Amsterdam University Medical Centers in the Netherlands.²

The ikHerstel (Dutch for “I Recover”) app is designed to guide patients after hospital discharge. Before surgery, patients review the app with a clinician and document eight personally important return-to-normal activity goals. After surgery, patients can use the app to gauge whether their recovery is going according to plan and contact their provider for an e-consultation if necessary.

The study took place at 11 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands and included 355 participants who underwent a laparoscopic or open colectomy or hysterectomy. Half the patients were randomly assigned access to the app and half received standard care.

Patients given access to the ikHerstel app recovered 13 days earlier, according to the study. The median time until return to normal activities was 52 days with the app compared with 65 days in the control group. The rate of postoperative complications did not differ between patient groups.

“In conclusion, this perioperative combined eHealth care program delivering personalized care by use of goal attainment scaling reduced the time required to return to normal activities after major abdominal (cancer) surgery by almost 20%,” researchers wrote. “Adoption of such programs could, therefore, improve patient-related outcomes.”

References:

1. den Bakker CM, Schaafsma FG, Consten ECJ, et al. Personalised electronic health programme for recovery after major abdominal surgery: a multicentre, single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Digit Health. Published online July 5, 2023. doi:10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00084-5
2. Amsterdam UMC led eHealth app ensures 30% faster recovery after major abdominal operations. News release. Amsterdam University Medical Centers; July 5, 2023. Accessed July 26, 2023.