Patient engagement technology: A valuable yet underutilized tool.

Patient engagement technologies (PETs) are increasingly used in the perioperative period. These technologies (largely web or application based) provide patients with a convenient source of custom and interactive education, a place to monitor preoperative preparation and postoperative recovery easily and quickly, and a platform to communicate concerns with the care team. Studies have reported a reduction in emergency room visits, 1 Pickens R. et al. Using a mobile application for real-time collection of patient-reported outcomes in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery within an ERAS® pathway. Am Surg. 2019; 85: 909-917 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar follow-up calls to the surgeon's office, 2 Gollish J.D. et al. myHip&Knee: improving patient engagement and self-management through mobile technology. Healthc Q. 2019; 22: 63-67 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar lengths of hospital stays, and cost of surgical care 3 Theiss L. et al. Patient engagement technologies (PETs) reduce the costs of index surgical encounters. J Am Coll Surg. 2020; 231: e105 Crossref Google Scholar in addition to improvements in patient satisfaction, 2 Gollish J.D. et al. myHip&Knee: improving patient engagement and self-management through mobile technology. Healthc Q. 2019; 22: 63-67 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar convenience, 4 Abelson J.S. et al. Barriers and benefits to using mobile health technology after operation: a qualitative study. Surgery. 2017; 162: 605-611 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar and medication adherence 5 Schlund D. et al. Value of an interactive phone application in an established enhanced recovery program. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2020; 35 Crossref Scopus (11) Google Scholar with the use of perioperative PETs. Recent studies have also used PETs to improve adherence to components of standardized, evidence-based, best practices designed to reduce the physiologic stress of surgery (also known as enhanced recovery programs or ERPs) in colorectal surgery and have found variable benefits. 5 Schlund D. et al. Value of an interactive phone application in an established enhanced recovery program. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2020; 35 Crossref Scopus (11) Google Scholar