Impact of an Educational Mobile App on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colonoscopy Report Quality

Dig Dis Sci. 2023 Dec;68(12):4360-4367. doi: 10.1007/s10620-023-08120-y. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Abstract

Background: Inadequate endoscopic assessment of disease activity might lead to suboptimal treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aims: We aimed to determine if the implementation of an educational mobile app could help improving the quality of colonoscopy reports in patients with IBD.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of colonoscopy reports in patients with IBD during the period 2016-2023. The sample was divided into two groups: before and after the implementation of an educational mobile app (JEDII app ™). The main outcome was the inclusion of validated activity assessment scoring systems and previously stablished reporting required elements.

Results: A total of 883 IBD colonoscopy reports were included for analysis; 621 (70.3%) procedures were performed before the implementation of the app and 262 (29.7%) after. An IBD scoring system was included in 201 (32.4%) and 148 (56.5%) colonoscopy reports before and after the adoption of the mobile app, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean number of recommended elements for quality IBD colonoscopy reporting was significantly increased after the app implementation (4.3 vs. 1.9, p < 0.001). Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, gastroenterologist as endoscopist, endoscopist with IBD clinical interest, and the implementation of the educational mobile app were independently associated with the inclusion of an IBD score in the colonoscopy report.

Conclusion: The inclusion of scoring systems and recommended elements for quality IBD colonoscopy report significantly increased after the implementation of an educational mobile app. E-health technologies should be further explored to improve quality of care in patients with IBD.

Keywords: Colonoscopy; Inflammatory bowel disease; Mobile app; Scoring system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / diagnosis
  • Colonoscopy / methods
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / complications
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Retrospective Studies