The Impact of a Smartphone App on the Quality of Pediatric Colonoscopy Preparations: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

We state that In total, 46 patients aged 5-18 years "received either app-based or written material with instructions on how to take their prep medications as well as information about the colonoscopy procedure." Prep quality, number of calls to the gastroenterology service, and patient arrival time were recorded. After the procedure, a questionnaire was given to each patient in which they graded their knowledge of the procedure both before and after receiving the app or written material. 1b-ii) Level of human involvement in the METHODS section of the ABSTRACT subjects involved were "46 patients aged 5-18 years" 1b-iii) Open vs. closed, web-based (self-assessment) vs. face-to-face assessments in the METHODS section of the ABSTRACT Subjects were "46 patients aged 5-18 years." We defined patients in the paper as children already scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy 1b-iv) RESULTS section in abstract must contain use data We state that "App users had higher mean Boston scores versus control subjects receiving written instructions (7.2 vs 5.9, P=.02), indicating better colonoscopy preps. In total, 75% (15/20) of app users and 41% (9/22) of written instruction users had preps categorized as "excellent" on the Boston scale. We found no significant differences in knowledge about the procedure (app users: 10/20 [50%], written instruction users 8/21 [36%]; P=.37), phone calls to the gastroenterology clinic (n=6 vs n=2; P=.27), or arrival times at the endoscopy suite (44 min vs 46 min before the scheduled procedure time; P=.56)." 1b-v) CONCLUSIONS/DISCUSSION in abstract for negative trials We define both the benefits of the app as well as those aspects that were not affected: "Smartphone app use was associated with an increased number of colonoscopy preps classified as "excellent" on the Boston scale. There was no significant difference between app users and the control group regarding the number of calls to the gastroenterology clinic, patient arrival time, or patient knowledge about the procedure."

The impact of smartphone applications on bowel preparation, compliance with appointments, cost-effectiveness, and patients’ quality of life for the colonoscopy process: A scoping review

“…One of the eight studies was based on a pediatric population. [ 10 ] Most of the included studies focused on the adult population. The methodology was consistently randomized controlled, prospective, single-blinded trials except for one study, which was a feasibility study.…”

“…[ 11 ] Two of the eight studies were done in the United States. [ 10 12 ] and the remaining were internationally based. The median number of patients involved was 210 patients.…”

Pediatric Endoscopy Quality Improvement Network Quality Standards and Indicators for Pediatric Endoscopy Facilities

“…Maxwell et al (111) measured bowel preparation quality and found no significant benefit of using an educational cartoon over the standard instructions. Brief et al (112) demonstrated better quality preparations in pediatric patients who received their instructions via a smartphone application compared to standard written instructions. Studies of adult patients have also demonstrated superiority of smartphone apps to deliver prep instructions and education (113,114).…”

Bowel Preparation for Pediatric Colonoscopy

“…A RCT evaluating the impact of an educational cartoon did not show improved Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) scores in the 20 patients who received the cartoon, but the study did report a positive correlation with education level and quality of bowel preparation ( 4 ). A recent study of 42 patients applied the use a Smartphone App to deliver colonoscopy tutorial, instructions, and medication reminders ( 5 ). This study showed improved bowel clean out scores in the 20 patients who used the App.…”