More Tech-Savvy Than You Think: Digital Proficiency Among Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients

Smartphones and other digital devices can support patient-reported outcomes and perioperative data collection. Their efficacy in engaging the predominantly elderly total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smart device use and proficiency among TJA patients across age groups.

We prospectively surveyed a convenience sample of 201 patients who presented for total hip or total knee arthroplasty at a single academic institution. The mean age was 70 years, and 39 patients (19.4%) were younger than 65 years. Patients completed the 16-item Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire and additional questions regarding device use frequency. Survey responses were compared between patients aged > 65 years and those less than 65 years.

Daily smartphone use was common in both age groups (85% in less than 65 years versus 80% in ≥ 65 years; P = 0.005). Patients reported similar ease navigating onscreen menus, typing on onscreen keyboards, and sending emails across age groups (P > 0.05 for each). Younger patients reported higher proficiency checking upcoming and prior appointment information (77 [95% confidence interval (CI), 61 to 89] versus 51% [95% CI, 43 to 59]; P = 0.005), entering events into calendars (77 [95% CI, 61 to 89] versus 44% [95% CI, 37 to 52]; P < 0.001), and sending pictures by email from smart devices (80 [95% CI, 64 to 91] versus 52% [95% CI, 44 to 60]; P = 0.013).

Older patients demonstrated lower proficiency with complex, multi-step mobile device tasks, but comparable proficiency with foundational digital skills, including menu navigation, keyboard use, and emails. These skills can directly translate into orthopaedic practice engagement via application-based data collection or web-based survey distribution. These findings support hybrid digital strategies that use accessible, low-complexity tools to improve patient-reported outcomes collection and research participation.