Feasibility of an iPad to Facilitate Communication in Postoperative Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Brunner, Theresa H.; DiFortuna, Kristyn; LeTang, Michael LeTang Michael; Murphy, Jane; Stemplewicz, Kara; Kovacs, Magda; DeRosa, Antonio; Gibson, Donna; Ginex, Pamela

doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2016.10.008

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Brunner et al investigated the feasibility of an iPad and communication application in the postanesthesia care unit in patients who underwent HNC surgery that resulted in impaired communication. Sixty‐six percent of patients were able to use the customizable tablet, and at least 60% were satisfied with this intervention 25 . To our knowledge, our study is the first prospective quality improvement study to assess the impact of AAC on quality of life in patients who become aphonic due to HNC surgery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Augmentative Technology on Communication and Quality of Life After Tracheostomy or Total Laryngectomy

Haring

Farlow

Leginza

et al. 2021

Otolaryngol.--head neck surg.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective Surgical procedures that render patients acutely aphonic can cause them to experience significant anxiety and distress. We queried patient perceptions after tracheostomy or laryngectomy and investigated whether introducing augmentative technology was associated with improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Methods Participants included hospitalized patients who acutely lost the ability to speak due to tracheostomy or total laryngectomy from April 2018 to December 2019. We distributed questions regarding the patient communication experience and relevant questions from the validated V-RQOL questionnaire (Voice-Related Quality of Life). Patients were offered a tablet with the electronic communication application Verbally. Pre- and postintervention groups were compared with chi-square analyses. Results Surveys were completed by 35 patients (n = 18, preintervention; n = 17, postintervention). Prior to using augmentative technology, 89% of patients who were aphonic reported difficulty communicating, specifically noting breathing or suctioning (56%), treatment and discharge plans (78%), or immediate needs, such as pain and using the bathroom (39%). Communication difficulties caused anxiety (55%), depression (44%), or frustration (62%), and 92% of patients were interested in using an electronic communication device. Patients reported less trouble communicating after the intervention versus before (53% vs 89%, P = .03), including less difficulty communicating about treatment or discharge plans (35% vs 78%, P < .01). V-RQOL scores were unchanged. Discussion Acute loss of phonation arising from surgery can be highly distressing for patients, and use of augmentative technology may alleviate some of these challenges by improving communication. Further studies are needed to identify what additional strategies may improve overall well-being. Implications for Practice Electronic communication devices may benefit patients with acute aphonia.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Sixty-six percent of patients were able to use the customizable tablet, and at least 60% were satisfied with this intervention. 25 To our knowledge, our study is the first prospective quality improvement study to assess the impact of AAC on quality of life in patients who become aphonic due to HNC surgery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effect of Augmentative Technology on Communication and Quality of Life After Tracheostomy or Total Laryngectomy

Haring

Farlow

Leginza

et al. 2021

Otolaryngol.--head neck surg.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A cellphone-based health care application (CHA) may help with early identification of potential complications in the postoperative period and in optimizing follow-up care, which could not be achieved with regular phone calls [6] , [7] . Use of mobile digital technology can be an easy and effective tool for reminding patients to self-monitor and facilitating postoperative communication compared to phone calls [7] , [8] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensified and Standardized Digital Communication with Cystectomy Patients as a Potentially Simple and Effective Modality for Early Detection of Postoperative Complications: Results from a Pilot Study

Birkhäuser

Moltzahn

Huber

et al. 2020

European Urology Open Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Postoperative readmission rates following radical cystectomy remain significant. Early identification of emerging complications could potentially allow for immediate institution of therapy. Objective To intensify postoperative patient-physician communication via a cellphone-based health care application (CHA) and to evaluate its potential for early detection of complications. Design, setting, and participants This was a pilot study involving 18 radical cystectomy patients. During the first 30 d, patients received a push cellphone notification twice a week requesting data input into the CHA. This was reduced to once a week from day 31 to day 90. De-identified recorded data were reviewed by the surgeon involved. If deemed necessary, patients were contacted by the surgeon via telephone to obtain more detailed clinical information. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were used. Results and limitations Of the 18 patients enrolled, all completed the 90-d reporting period. On two occasions, interventions were necessary on the basis of data recorded on the CHA. One neobladder patient was given antibiotic therapy for pyelonephritis. Another patient reported weight loss and nausea with clinical suspicion of metabolic acidosis, and his sodium bicarbonate and fluid intake were increased. Limitations include the small number of cases from a single low-volume center. Conclusions CHA-based monitoring of clinical parameters within the crucial 90-d postoperative period following radical cystectomy provides meaningful information. In this pilot study, two potential readmissions were possibly avoided on the basis of recorded basic vital signs and early intervention. Patient summary Besides regular clinic follow-up visits after radical cystectomy, additional aids such as a cellphone-based health care application can provide treating physicians with relevant clinical information and may help to identify imminent deviations from normal postoperative recovery at an early stage.

show abstract

“…A feasibility study done in a postoperative care unit in Northeast US in a Cancer center over 6 months found more than 80% of patients were satisfied with communication by the use of a AAC tool in the form of a customized tablet like ipad. 7 But currently randomized control trials to suggest the use or efficacy regarding the same are limited; 8 studies on large-scale application and active research into ipad apps or similar tools are necessary which can give necessary insights into evolving AAC tools further.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

iPad with iPad-based Apps: An Optimal Communications Tool in the Intensive Care Unit?

Raju¹

2021

Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Feasibility of an iPad to Facilitate Communication in Postoperative Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract: Patients were satisfied with the customized iPad, and the study found that using technology such as this was feasible in the immediate postoperative period.

Cited by 12 publications

References 9 publications

Effect of Augmentative Technology on Communication and Quality of Life After Tracheostomy or Total Laryngectomy

Effect of Augmentative Technology on Communication and Quality of Life After Tracheostomy or Total Laryngectomy

Intensified and Standardized Digital Communication with Cystectomy Patients as a Potentially Simple and Effective Modality for Early Detection of Postoperative Complications: Results from a Pilot Study

iPad with iPad-based Apps: An Optimal Communications Tool in the Intensive Care Unit?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About