JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Automated digital surveillance of physical activity after surgical procedures at home could facilitate monitoring of postoperative follow-up.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess whether orthopedic trauma patients would be generally willing to use the proposed automated digital home surveillance and what advantages and disadvantages it could bring with it.

Methods:

Between June 2021 and October 2021 a survey amongst orthopedic trauma patients was conducted. The paper-questionnaire was composed of the participants’ demographics and six specific questions.

Results:

The majority of the 201 participants (59.7%) could imagine using the proposed measurement system. An insignificant higher rate of younger patients would use the automated surveillance. No difference was seen between different occupations. Significantly more young patients were using a smartphone or electronic device. (p=0.004; p=0.008) The most stated advantages were “less doctor visits” and “less effort”, whereas the most prevalent disadvantage was the missing doctor-patient contact. Significantly more patients with a “part-time” and “9 to 5” job stated that “data analysis contributes to medical progress” (p=0.047)

Conclusions:

Most of the assessed participants would use the automated digital measuring system to observe their postoperative follow-up and recovering. “Less doctor visits” and “less effort” were the most frequently stated advantages according to the study population. At the same time “missing patient-doctor contact” was the mostly stated disadvantage. Data security was not a major concern for most of the participating patients.