First Polish mobile application for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most frequent orthopedic procedures worldwide and its surgical volume is constantly growing. To address the patients’ restricted access to healthcare resources and limited one-on-one contact with the surgeon during the COVID-19 pandemic, we created a reliable source of information for patients undergoing THA. The use of mHealth is increasing with access to modern technology in Poland. Information related to health issues is the second most common web search performed by older adults. Our project aimed to create the first Polish mobile application for THA patients: Endopedia. Endopedia was developed for the Android platform based on a survey performed among patients and a collection of frequently asked questions on patients’ internet forums. The content was adapted to the elderly and visually impaired requirements. mHealth solutions should not replace one-on-one conversation, but they can provide substantial support for patients in conditions of limited information.