Web-based Visit for Colorectal Surgery (Web-visit)

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Colorectal Surgery

Treatments: Other: Use of an online questionnaire as follow-up after abdominal colorectal surgery

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05084131

H00017264

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study to evaluate how well an online format would work for the first post-operative visit after a patient undergoes colon and rectal surgery. This online format is integrated into Epic MyChart. This study aims to determine whether the online format is feasible and acceptable to patients and surgeons as a standard post-operative visit.

Full description

Participants were asked to complete a post-operative survey using an online patient portal, EPIC MyChart, after elective abdominal colon or rectal resection. Participants were also asked to do upload a picture of their incisions. Colorectal surgeons reviewed responses/pictures and communicated concerns/recommendations via the same patient portal. At the in-person follow-up visit, both patients and colorectal surgeons completed a satisfaction survey regarding the both visit types.

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 18 or older
2. Planned/underwent surgery that was performed by a surgeon in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
3. Requires a post-operative follow-up outpatient visit 2-3 weeks from surgery or from discharge from hospital
4. Has access to a smart mobile phone, tablet or computer to access online web interface for the web-based visit
5. Patients with an Epic MyChart account set up.
6. Has ability to take photographs of surgical incision or has access to someone who can take a picture for them.

Exclusion criteria

1. Requires visiting nurse services at discharge from hospital
2. Cannot use web-based interface or unable to complete questions online
3. Cannot read English, speak English, or would require interpreter services. The reason for excluding these patients is there are not yet MyChart services available in non-English languages at Umass Memorial. It would not be fiscally possible to acquire these for a pilot feasibility study. As the MyChart experience is meant to be completed at home, it would not be possible to provider a medical interpreter in a non-office or hospital setting.
4. Adults unable to consent (adults lacking capacity)
5. Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
6. Prisoners
7. Pregnant women
8. Patients undergoing anal surgery