Post-discharge patient support after spinal surgery

The recovery process is challenged when the patient experiences symptoms such as pain, nausea and weakness. These symptoms can affect the patient’s post-discharge recovery, which may adversely affect the outcomes of surgery and patient satisfaction.

User involvement in research often reveals that there is a gap between patients’ expectations, needs, and wishes and the service they are offered.

AIM

The aim of this project was to improve the course of early post-discharge recovery after spinal surgery by identifying the patients' needs and wishes and subsequently design and develop a tailored technological solution to support patients from the time of discharge until their first outpatient follow-up. The solution then had to be tested and the effect, usability and satisfaction assessed.

RESULTS

A three-phase Participatory Design study was conducted, in which both patients and healthcare professionals were actively involved. Through the process, the patients’ needs and wishes in the postoperative phase after back surgery were identified, which formed the basis for the design, development and testing of a digital process in the My Hospital app, called Back Operation. The solution also involved a nurse-led intervention based on electronic patient-reported information with the aim of identifying patients who needed extra support after discharge. The patients completed a questionnaire that assessed the patient’s postoperative recovery, including pain, sleep and general well-being. The responses were continuously reviewed by the ward nurses.

Patients who had low or moderate scores on the questionnaire were marked as needing further follow-up. The nurses received notifications about these patients and then actively contacted them to offer guidance, support and possible adjustment of the treatment. Patients who reported good or excellent scores, on the other hand, were not contacted as their data indicated a satisfactory course.

This approach enabled targeted and needs-based follow-up, where resources were concentrated on patients who experienced challenges in their postoperative recovery. This contributed to increased security and perceived support after discharge. 

The solution generally showed great potential with high user-friendliness and satisfaction, but certain adjustments are necessary to further optimise functionality and user experience.

PARTNERS

The project was a PhD project by Marianne Lorenzen.

The study was performed as a collaboration between The Department of Spinal Surgery and Research at Spine Centre of Southern Denmark and CIMT. The development of the technological solution took place in collaboration with the company MedWare.

EXTERNAL FUNDING

The study was financed by the Spine Centre of Southern Denmark.