Mobile Applications in Clinical and Perioperative Care for Anesthesia: Narrative Review.

TitleMobile Applications in Clinical and Perioperative Care for Anesthesia: Narrative Review.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsPan S, Rong LQia
JournalJ Med Internet Res
Volume23
Issue9
Paginatione25115
Date Published2021 09 17
ISSN1438-8871
KeywordsAnesthesia, Anesthesiology, Humans, Mobile Applications, Perioperative Care, Reproducibility of Results, Telemedicine
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of smartphones by providers and patients alike demonstrates that digital health utilizing mobile applications has the potential to transform perioperative care and education in anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: This literature review describes the current scope of the use of mobile applications in anesthesiology.

METHODS: Literature was searched using PubMed, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov for articles published from January 1, 2010, through April 1, 2020. Only English language studies were included. Articles were included if they examined the use of a mobile health application in the setting of anesthesia or the perioperative (immediate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) period. Studies were excluded if they explored video interventions or did not examine the feasibility or efficacy of the mobile app.

RESULTS: We included 29 articles, and three areas of clinical functionality were identified: patient-centered care (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative), systems-based improvement, and medical education. Several studies demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of mobile apps in these areas, but many are only tested for efficacy in simulated environments or with small patient samples.

CONCLUSIONS: Mobile health applications show promise in improving communication between anesthesiologists, improving workflow efficiency, enhancing medical education, and reducing hospital costs. However, there is a need for validation and improvement before full implementation by the provider, patients, and hospital systems. Future studies are needed to demonstrate meaningful health outcomes to create guidelines and recommendations specific to the application of mobile technology to health care.

DOI10.2196/25115
Alternate JournalJ Med Internet Res
PubMed ID34533468
PubMed Central IDPMC8486987