Christos Koutras1, Marina Bitsaki2, Georgios Koutras2, Christos Nikolaou3, Hansjoerg Heep1. 1. Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. 2. Research and Innovation Department, OpenIT, Heraklion, Greece. 3. Computer Science Department, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: e-Health is a widespread healthcare practice in the medical community, supported by technology-based applications aiming to deliver health services in an efficient manner, improving the quality of life and providing a wide range of health and socio-economic benefits to patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of e-Health and mobile applications for the follow-up of major joint arthroplasty patients and the socio-economic impact of e-Health services on arthroplasty patients. METHODS: Studies published after 2000 in English language, enrolling patients who underwent total knee or hip replacement, applying e-Health solutions and highlighting the economic benefits obtained by patients, doctors and healthcare systems were considered for inclusion in the present study. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied our inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative analysis. In this paper, the use of e-Health for the follow-up of major joint arthroplasty patients and the positive impact in terms of cost, time and hospital visits reduction by applying e-Health solutions on arthroplasty patients are reviewed in detail as reported in the included studies. CONCLUSION: The majority of the included studies reported a positive impact in terms of cost, time and hospital visits reduction.
BACKGROUND: e-Health is a widespread healthcare practice in the medical community, supported by technology-based applications aiming to deliver health services in an efficient manner, improving the quality of life and providing a wide range of health and socio-economic benefits to patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of e-Health and mobile applications for the follow-up of major joint arthroplastypatients and the socio-economic impact of e-Health services on arthroplasty patients. METHODS: Studies published after 2000 in English language, enrolling patients who underwent total knee or hip replacement, applying e-Health solutions and highlighting the economic benefits obtained by patients, doctors and healthcare systems were considered for inclusion in the present study. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied our inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative analysis. In this paper, the use of e-Health for the follow-up of major joint arthroplastypatients and the positive impact in terms of cost, time and hospital visits reduction by applying e-Health solutions on arthroplasty patients are reviewed in detail as reported in the included studies. CONCLUSION: The majority of the included studies reported a positive impact in terms of cost, time and hospital visits reduction.
Authors: Kwadwo Adu Owusu-Akyaw; Carolyn A Hutyra; Richard J Evanson; Chad E Cook; Mike Reiman; Richard C Mather Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2019-10-10