Feasibility of Capturing Orthopaedic Trauma Research Outcomes Using Personal Mobile Devices

Abstract

Introduction:Patients with orthopaedic trauma are frequently lost to follow-up. Personal mobile devices have been used to ascertain clinical research outcomes. The prevalence of mobile device ownership, use patterns, and attitudes about research among patients with orthopaedic trauma would inform clinical research strategies in this population.Methods:A total of 1,434 consecutive unique adults scheduled for an orthopaedic trauma outpatient clinic from December 2019 through February 2020 at a metropolitan level 1 trauma center were identified. Associations of demographic data with clinic attendance and mobile phone registration were explored by logistic regression. One hundred one patients attending clinic were then prospectively surveyed from June 2021 through August 2021 about housing stability, personal mobile device ownership, capabilities, use patterns, and openness to communicating via the device with for orthopaedic care and research.Results:The prevalence of personal mobile device ownership was 91% by registration data and 90% by a survey. Ninety-nine percent of survey respondents with mobile devices reported cell service always or most of the time. Ninety-three percent kept their devices charged always or most of the time. Ninety-two percent reported e-mail access. Eighty-three percent reported video capability. Ninety-one percent would communicate with their orthopaedic trauma care team by text message. Eighty-seven percent would answer research questions by phone call, 79% by text, and 61% by video. Eighty-five percent reported stable housing, which was not associated with mobile device ownership or use, but was associated with clinic nonattendance (29% vs. 66%, P < 0.01) and changing phone number at least once in the previous year (28% vs. 58%, P = 0.04).Discussion:Personal mobile devices represent a feasible platform for screening and collecting outcomes from patients with orthopaedic trauma. Nine in 10 patients own personal mobile devices, keep them charged, have text and e-mail service, and would use the device to participate in research. Housing instability was not associated with mobile device ownership or use patterns.

Wearable Sensors in Other Medical Domains with Application Potential for Orthopedic Trauma Surgery—A Narrative Review

“…More than just identifying use cases with potential application in orthopedic trauma, the analysis of wearable device studies from other fields can also offer learning opportunities concerning the negative aspects of these new technologies and their respective handling. These include challenges associated with wearable device distribution in different patient groups and social demographics [ 100 ], the potential negative psychosocial effects of wearable use in patients [ 101 , 102 ], and also the many issues associated with data management, storage, and safety [ 103 , 104 ]. Issues that concern all of us working with these devices both in a clinical as well as research context need addressing.…”