A Systematic Review of Smartphone Applications That Address Patient Care in the Peri-Operative Period

Background: The use of smartphone applications by patients can be utilized to transform peri-operative care. With the ever-evolving landscape, an updated systematic review is needed in this field. Objective: This study aims to summarize the smartphone-based applications used by patients as discussed in the academic literature in the setting of peri-operative patient care. Methods: Seven databases were searched to identify articles discussing the use of smartphone applications by patients peri-operatively. Articles were included if they examined the use of smartphone-based applications in the setting of the peri-operative period and examined the application's usability and effectiveness. Each paper was appraised using CASP checklists and analyzed using the thematic synthesis method. Results: Overall, 18 articles were selected for this study from 8204 articles initially obtained. The themes that emerged from the analysis include the following benefits of smartphone applications in peri-operative patient care: (1) patient education and instruction, (2) clear communication, (3) decreasing complications and the use of healthcare resources, (4) post-operative monitoring and pain control, (5) improved patient support, satisfaction, and safety. Other themes also emerged such as requirements of a practical smartphone application, what to include in smartphone application assessments, limitations of smartphone application studies, and future directions of smartphone applications regarding patient peri-operative care. Conclusions: The landscape of mobile applications is exponentially growing and their use in the peri-operative period is imminent for the future. Their use can improve communication between surgical care professionals, enhance patient care in the peri-operative period, and strengthen medical education. Further studies, validation tools, and improvements will be required to implement their use and demonstrate outcomes that can guide recommendations surrounding their use.