Patient engagement is increasingly recognized as a key factor in improving surgical outcomes. Research has demonstrated that active participation in pre- and post-operative care leads to faster recovery, fewer complications, and overall cost reductions for healthcare systems. In particular, digital health platforms offer a scalable way to engage patients and enhance care delivery.
Digital Platforms Enhancing Patient Engagement
The advent of digital health platforms has revolutionized patient engagement by providing accessible resources and support throughout the surgical journey. These platforms offer personalized care plans, educational materials, and virtual rehabilitation programs, enabling patients to take an active role in their recovery and ultimately improving outcomes.
A randomized clinical trial published in The Journal of Arthroplasty found that remote physical therapy programs provided outcomes comparable to traditional in-person therapy for patients discharged on the same day after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study found no significant difference in range of motion, pain control, or functional recovery, highlighting the potential of digital platforms to support rehabilitation remotely.
Similarly, another study demonstrated that patients using a smartphone-based rehabilitation system following TKA achieved improved functional outcomes, including greater knee range of motion and better performance in sit-to-stand tests, compared to those receiving standard home physical therapy.
Preoperative Education and Surgical Outcomes
Preoperative education is essential in preparing patients for surgery and setting realistic expectations for recovery. Educated patients are more likely to adhere to postoperative instructions, recognize signs of complications early, and engage in beneficial behaviors during recovery.
Comprehensive digital care management platforms can engage patients and their care partners prior to surgery to help them prepare for a safe home discharge. The Force Therapeutics platform also includes digital preoperative classes with subsequent review quizzes to ensure patients have understood the content presented. Because patients can access this information on their home computers or smartphones, they can review key details anytime and anywhere, increasing their confidence as surgery approaches. Well-informed patients also report lower levels of anxiety and perioperative stress, which positively impacts functional outcomes.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures & CMS Compliance
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasizes the collection of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) to assess care quality. Digital platforms streamline the collection and analysis of PROMs, ensuring hospitals meet CMS requirements efficiently while also using this data to inform quality improvement initiatives. Furthermore, a patient who is engaged in a digital care platform is more likely to complete their PROMs as a natural inclusion of their care journey. Enabling patients to respond to questionnaires such as PROMs at home significantly increases the completion rate when compared to mailed forms or phone calls to their home.
Impact on Healthcare Costs and Compliance with CMS Mandates
Engaging patients through digital platforms not only improves clinical outcomes but also contributes to cost savings. By reducing the need for in-person visits and enabling early detection of potential issues, these platforms can decrease readmission rates and associated post-acute utilization costs.
Recent CMS mandates place an increasing emphasis on value-based care models, which prioritize patient engagement and quality outcomes. Digital platforms facilitate the efficient collection and reporting of PROMs, aiding healthcare providers in meeting CMS requirements while enhancing patient satisfaction and optimizing surgical outcomes.
Conclusion
Integrating digital health platforms into surgical care enhances patient engagement, leading to improved outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Preoperative education delivered through these platforms effectively prepares patients, contributing to lower complication rates. Additionally, the ability to collect and report patient-reported outcomes supports compliance with CMS mandates, underscoring the multifaceted benefits of digital patient engagement in modern healthcare.
By leveraging technology to drive engagement, hospitals and health systems can improve patient outcomes while ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements—demonstrating the critical role digital platforms play in the future of surgical care.
