In Southern Germany, 2016, Vulpius Clinic were looking for an interactive and innovative way of providing patient information. The plan was to provide a solution which differentiated from typical leaflets and brochures. The clinic wanted to better involve patients in their treatment via interactive images and video. For orthopaedic specialist Dr. med. Mohr, simplifying patient information was paramount “Our patients face a flood of information when preparing for an orthopaedic procedure. Our main idea was to provide patients with a suitable medium in order to channel the flood of information while giving them access to comprehensive, clear and credible information”.
Vulpius Clinic soon decided that a mobile application might be the ideal medium, and together with Patient Journey App mapped out how an app might take shape. After a few iterations, the structure of a treatment pathway for both total knee and hip joint replacement surgery were successfully digitised. Resourceful images and videos were layered on top so that the app possessed a good amount of interactivity for the patient.
Dr. med. Mohr was heavily involved in this process, and had this to say about the application: “The app begins with general information about the patient’s medical condition and possible treatments. During the second phase, the app provides specialised information about how patients can best prepare for their treatments, which includes informative videos about their surgery and about the hospital. During the following phases, the patient gains information about their in-patient stay including everything they need to know about their anaesthesia and upcoming surgery. Following surgery, post op exercises are explained in several videos. Beyond the treatment, patients receive a reminder of their annual examination with the family doctor. The app enables us to involve the patient in their treatment pathway from start to finish, and to give them their own responsibilities and tasks.”
Upon launching the app, it was imperative that medical staff actively promoted the app so that patients knew about it. That way, benefits became known for all involved parties. For Vulpius Clinic, members of staff made sure to integrate the app into daily hospital routines from the beginning. Since then, the app has become an indispensable part of the treatment pathway. We asked Dr. med. Mohr how the clinic promoted the app:
“To begin with, we informed our staff about the app and displayed posters at selected places throughout the hospital. We handed out flyers to every patient, and also added some information and download links on our website. Furthermore, during our information event (that all patients are invited to prior to their treatment), we made sure to inform everybody about the app. In case some patients didn’t use or know about the app yet, doctors and therapists are prepared to always remind their patients about it. Now, our medical colleagues at the ward always make sure to communicate the app. They remind patients that the app contains important information about their preparation for surgery and that they will also be familiarised with the important exercises they need to complete”.
The Vulpius Clinic team has received very positive feedback on the app, which has become an integral part of the hospital’s‘ rapid recovery’ programme. For Dr. med. Mohr, the app is another innovative step towards the future of patient care:
“Of course, modern technological achievements play an important role in patient care. The app has become a valuable tool within our portfolio. In the upcoming years, we will experience technical achievements that make our work more efficient and secure. It is also possible that we could work in a more cost efficient way by saving time and money on human resources. The app has helped us to improve the relationship between patient and doctor, which is the most indispensable factor behind a successful treatment pathway. In the future, apps will continue to change our lives and have a growing influence on our medical work.”
Vulpius Clinic was founded in 1912 and evolved from a sanatorium for joint and bone tuberculosis into a center of excellence in orthopaedics in the region.
The department for Orthopaedics and Trauma surgery focuses on the implantation of artificial knee and hip joints. In our “rapid recovery” programme, we see our patients as active participants during their treatment.
Patient Journey App allows health care professionals to update their patients with the right information at the right time. Through interactive push notifications you can inform, activate and empower patients about the next steps in their treatment pathway.
The apps we have created are used by 100+ hospitals and clinics, across 19 countries by more than 100,000 patients.
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