iColon, a patient-focused mobile application for perioperative care in colorectal surgery: an observational, real-world study protocol

INTRODUCTION: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol provides optimised care guidelines for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. To ensure high compliance with active ERAS elements, patients must be educated to actively participate in the perioperative care pathway. Mobile health is a rapidly expanding area of the digital health sector that is effective in educating and engaging patients during follow-up. iColon is a mobile application designed by the Operative Unit of General Surgery of IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital of Negrar of Valpolicella, which is specifically targeted at patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. iColon is organised into ERAS phases, and it provides real-time feedback to surgeons about a patient’s adherence to perioperative active ERAS elements. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We hypothesise that by providing a patient-focused mobile application, compliance with active ERAS elements could be improved. The first coprimary objective is to build patient confidence in using the mobile application, iColon, during perioperative care. The second coprimary objective is to establish patient compliance with active ERAS elements. Secondary objectives include examining: length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, postoperative complications and patient satisfaction of received care. This study is a prospective observational real-world study of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery who are following the ERAS protocol and using iColon during perioperative periods between September 2020 and December 2022. By educating and engaging patients in the ERAS protocol, the mobile application, iColon, should stimulate patients to be more proactive in managing their healthcare by complying more closely with active ERAS elements. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the local Ethics Committee with the protocol number 29219 of 25 May 2020. The results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and various community engagement activities.