Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of stoma patients who discharged from hospital. BACKGROUND: Patients with a newly formed stoma experience many difficulties after surgery. Mobile application (app) has the potential to help patients self-manage their diseases and adjust to the changes in their lives and is a convenient way to ensure the continuity of care. However, there is a lack of studies about the effects of a mobile app on the transitional care for improving discharged stoma-related health outcomes. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 203 patients with a permanent stoma in tertiary hospitals in China were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the control group (n = 103) received routine discharge care. Patients in the intervention group (n = 100) received home care via a mobile app besides routine care. The psychosocial adjustment level, self-efficacy scale and stoma complications incidence were measured in the follow-up period and compared between the two groups. Data were collected at four time points: before intervention (baseline), at 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: The psychosocial adjustment level and stoma self-efficacy score of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively, at 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-up (all p < 0.05). The incidence of stoma complications in the intervention group was tending to reduce at 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that follow-up care at home via a mobile app can effectively improve the psychosocial adjustment level, self-efficacy scale and other related outcomes of stoma patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The home care mobile app is an effective intervention to support the psychosocial adjustment and self-efficacy of stoma patients after discharge. It ensures the continuity of care and provides nursing guidance for the patients timely.