Digital technologies to support surgical patient behaviours
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How can the use of digital technologies be optimised within elective surgical pathways to best support patients in making healthier lifestyle behaviour change? A patient-informed qualitative study.
IRAS ID
265725
Contact name
Sarah Slight
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 4 days
Research summary
There is strong evidence linking healthier lifestyle behaviours prior to surgery with improved outcomes following surgery. This may include reduced risks of surgical complications and length of hospital stay as well as long-term health implications such as reduced likelihood of readmission and reduced disease recurrence rates. However, in practice, there is currently little emphasis placed on supporting patients to improve their lifestyle behaviours prior to surgery.
The overall aim of this project is to understand what role digital technologies might be able to play in supporting surgical patients to change their lifestyle behaviours for the better, with the goal of improving surgical safety and post-operative outcomes. This project will involve conducting semi-structured interviews with elective surgical patients who are currently receiving treatment within a surgical pathway. By interviewing patients either pre- and/or post-surgery, we are likely to get different views and perspectives around making and maintaining health behaviour changes.
Another important aspect to consider is the view of healthcare professionals (HCPs) within the surgical pathway. One to two focus groups will be conducted with surgical professionals to understand how surgical patients might be better supported, and possibly where digital technologies may be able to play a role in motivating behaviour change and complementing current care.
It is envisaged that this work will make recommendations that inform future policy and practice, optimising the management of patients before, during, and after their surgeries. The findings will hopefully contribute towards national work being done concerning the role that digital technologies can play in health behaviour change.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0318
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion