Patient satisfaction with stoma care and their expectations on mobile apps for supportive care

Self-efficacy in stoma care is essential, as it reduces morbidity and psychosocial problems. Mobile applications (apps) may optimise patients' self-efficacy. This article investigates patients' satisfaction with stoma care, their attitudes towards a supporting app aiming to promote self-efficacy and evaluate which functionalities are desired.

A survey was sent to members of the two stoma-related patient associations in the Netherlands. Associations between patient characteristics, satisfaction concerning received stoma care, and willingness to use an app were evaluated.

The survey was completed by 1868 patients. Overall satisfaction was scored as 6.6, with shortfalls reported in the preoperative information provision, stoma site selection, and postoperative care. Patients of older age, who were unaware of getting a stoma, had an ileostomy, a low quality of life or psychosocial problems, were less satisfied. An app was expected to be of added value by 59.4% of the patients having a stoma for less than three years, compared to the significantly lower 43.8% expectation rate of the remaining study population (p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with a high frequency of physical or psychosocial problems expressed higher levels of interest.

Patients were only moderately satisfied with their received stoma care. A supportive app is most likely beneficial for patients who had a stoma for less than three years, were in an acute situation, and/or have stoma-related problems. Most patients prefer information via internet or on paper, although apps may offer additional benefits. It is important to acknowledge digital literacy and to council patients appropriately about the benefits and help them to use apps.