A Web-Based Interactive Patient-Provider Software Platform Does Not Increase Patient Satisfaction or Decrease Hospital Resource Utilization in Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Patients in a Single Large Hospital System

Abstract

Background: Web-based platforms used to enhance patient-provider communication are being explored to improve patient satisfaction and care delivery, and decrease cost. This study tested a web-based interactive patient-provider software platform (IPSP), JointCOACH, which enabled patient communication with their care team and preparatory/recovery guidance. The aims of this study are to compare (1) patient satisfaction and (2) healthcare resource utilization by patients who underwent total knee and hip replacements and added IPSP to standard of care (SOC).

Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized clinical trial at a single large academic healthcare system. Between May 2018 and March 2020, 399 patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty were randomized to SOC arm (n = 204) or SOC + IPSP arm (n = 195). Patient demographics, surgical details, and comorbidities were collected. Patient satisfaction was assessed using Visual Analog Scale and the Picker Patient Experience-15. Healthcare utilization was measured using length of stay, emergency department and office visits, office calls, readmissions, and reoperations at 30 and 90 days after surgery.

Results: No difference was found in length of stay between SOC and SOC + IPSP. No differences were found in 30-day or 90-day satisfaction or in healthcare resource utilization (P > .05) including number of office and emergency department visits, phone calls, and readmissions.

Conclusion: Statistical differences were not found in satisfaction and healthcare utilization with the addition of IPSP to SOC. IPSP can be used to reinforce patient education and communication between the patient and provider, and should be evaluated as an element of virtual care rather than supplementing traditional in-office follow-up. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: More information on this study can be found at clinicaltrials.gov NCT03499028.

Keywords: interactive patient-provider software platform; patient satisfaction; total hip arthroplasty; total joint arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty.