Digital Management and Education of Cataract Patients: Analyzing Effects of a Mobile Health Platform
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
With over two million cataract surgeries performed in the United States alone each year, it is essential to learn how cataract patients interact with mobile technology and determine their clinical efficacy. This multi-site, IRB-approved clinical study researched the use of CheckedUp, a mobile health patient management and education software tool.
Methods
Researchers used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to determine the usability and clinical efficacy of CheckedUp at 4 study sites in both private practice and academic settings in 3 states: Illinois, Florida, and New York. Participating physicians enrolled pre-operative cataract patients to be a part of this trial. Researchers in this study evaluated three key metrics: (1) clinic workflow through ethnographic observations; (2) Product usability collected through survey questionnaires by the physician, clinic staff, and patients; and (3) Patient information retention and medication adherence data collected through survey questionnaires pre-implementation compared to post-implementation.
Results
In the post-implementation phase of the study, patient retention of information and adherence to after-care instructions improved. Patients scored an average of 35% higher on information retention questions as compared to the pre-implementation phase of the study. Our qualitative data was coded by researchers using ATLAS.ti and indicated that practice workflow efficiency was improved after implementation of CheckedUp. Our data also indicated that in the post-implementation phase of the study, patients were more likely to select a premium intra-ocular lens implant.
Conclusion
Patients in this study demonstrated an expressed need and willingness to use mobile health technology surrounding their cataract surgery. This clinical trial demonstrated that CheckedUp was clinically effective as a point-of-care intervention in improving patient education, information retention, comfort levels about their upcoming surgery, and adherence to physician after-care instructions.