Using qualitative research to reduce readmissions and optimize perioperative cystectomy care

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Digital Health
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Preventable complications and readmissions post-cystectomy are significant concerns.
• Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) monitoring holds potential for early detection.
• Lack of defined PROs and mobile health (mHealth) strategies for capturing them hinders progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify high-priority PROs impacting the perioperative experience after cystectomy.
• Understand processes influencing these outcomes.
• Explore patient/caregiver experience differences and mHealth intervention potential.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 45 semistructured interviews with cystectomy patients, caregivers, and providers.
• Utilized an interview guide focusing on education, symptoms, function, and mHealth.
• Performed thematic analysis to identify key care processes and intervention opportunities.

Main Results:

• Preoperative cystectomy education was overwhelming and lacked personalization.
• Patients and caregivers reported a lack of knowledge regarding normal/abnormal post-surgery symptoms.
• Identified themes: education overload, defining normal symptoms, and incremental learning via mHealth.

Conclusions:

• Personalized mHealth interventions can address education overload and symptom uncertainty.
• Delivering tailored information via mHealth at the right time can improve patient outcomes.
• mHealth technology offers a viable solution for optimizing perioperative care.