53 2 Mobile applications in gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review The other three apps were more focused on improving compliance to the recovery protocol after colorectal surgery, providing daily recovery milestones, and questionnaires to track patient compliance and assess patient-reported outcomes.37-40 The app of Pecorelli et al. had a high usability score and patient satisfaction.41 Subsequently, the app was evaluated in a RCT in which overall adherence to the postoperative recovery protocol and other postoperative outcomes did not improve.42 The app “ERAS APPtimisation” specifically targets patient related elements of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, and daily activity was monitored and simulated using an activity tracker.43 The clinical evaluation in a RCT has not yet been completed. The comparable “IColon” app which incorporated slightly different ERAS elements, will be clinically evaluated in an observational study.44 Educational apps The “Touch Surgery” app facilitated three modules for laparoscopy to practice surgical procedures and cognitive tasks. Although the app was successfully validated based on its construct, face and content, training with the app did not improve students’ performance on a VR trainer.45 The app is freely available in the app stores. The app “Iprocto” provided a 3D model of various structures in the lower abdomen to improve the information provision to patients during the preoperative consult.46 The intervention group used this app during consultations, whereas the control group did not use the app. The intervention group reported significantly higher scores of the clarity on the doctor and satisfaction regarding the proctologic visit than the control group. The “Stoma-M” app provided educational information and contact details of stoma care units and associations in Turkey.47 The app was evaluated in a quasi-experimental study, in which the intervention group received the app on a provided Android phone, while the control group received a booklet containing the same content as provided in the app. The app did not improve psychosocial adaptation and stoma-related problems.
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