Empowering patients and educating staff – An online solution for the COVID era and beyond!

BACKGROUND: Bowel disease is a significant cause of significant morbidity and mortality around the world. Though colorectal cancer is a major cause for concern, there are a variety of other conditions which are chronic, debilitating and/or socially embarrassing. While the internet provides excellent resources, there is often conflicting and confusing material of doubtful veracity. There is pressing need for trainees and patients/carers to be able to access reliable resources whenever and wherever they are. AIM: To create an integrated, interactive platform providing reliable information on aspects of bowel disease for patients while addressing educational needs of surgical trainees and other healthcare professionals. APPROACH: Since 2006, we have progressed from leaflets, diagrammatic booklets to DVDs and then downloadable applications all of which, though very successful, had significant limitations. Trainees struggle with balancing their educational needs with their service commitments. This online resource, www.colorectaleducation.com provides an opportunity to view detailed operative training videos on the go. The website also hosts detailed chapterised information videos for patients, care pathway videos and patient experiences. The modular design of the website allows for ease of updating and sequential expansion. The initial emphasis has been on colorectal cancer and the site is being gradually expanded to include a variety of other conditions. RESULTS: The website gained widespread popularity with Google Analytics revealing steadily rising global hit rate with very low bounce rate for both sections. Structured feedback showed 96% satisfaction on both patient and professional sections. CONCLUSION: On-demand information became the norm with the use of smartphones/tablets. This website provides patients, surgical trainees and healthcare professionals access to information and education in clear reliable format, anywhere in the world. This is particularly relevant now as pandemic reduced opportunities for face to face patients consultations as well as for learners with educators.