Mobile applications in surgical patient health education: an integrative review

Rafaela Cristina Gomes Machado,Cristina Silva Sousa,Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini

doi:10.1590/s1980-220x2018032803555

Rafaela Cristina Gomes Machado, Cristina Silva Sousa + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018032803555

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Abstract

To analyze the scientific literature produced on health education through mobile applications for surgical patients. An integrative literature review performed through consultation in the following portals and/or databases: VHL; PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus; LILACS and CINAHL. The search was guided by the question: "What is the evidence on the use of mobile applications in the health education of surgical patients?" conducted from July to September 2017, including articles published from the year 2000 to 2017. Five articles published in international journals in English with varied methodological designs were selected. Among the studies found, 60% used an educational intervention through smartphone applications in the pre and postoperative periods, and 40% of the studies had an evidence level of 2B. The studies showed that the use of smartphone applications in educating and guiding surgical patients was effective. However, there is still a gap in studies which demonstrate surgical patient education through smartphone applications.

Highlights

Health education has dimensions which encompass several areas of daily life and it directs the individual, the community and society to perform self-care when contemplating the political, collective, religious and cultural areas
An integrative literature review performed through consultation in the following portals and/or databases: VHL; PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus; LILACS and CINAHL.The search was guided by the question: “What is the evidence on the use of mobile applications in the health education of surgical patients?”conducted from July to September 2017, including articles published from the year 2000 to 2017
This study aims to analyze the scientific literature produced on health education through mobile smartphone applications for surgical patients

Summary

Introduction

Health education has dimensions which encompass several areas of daily life and it directs the individual, the community and society to perform self-care when contemplating the political, collective, religious and cultural areas. The knowledge transferred by these professionals aims to assist self-care actions and stimulate the prevention of diseases and health problems through such actions. Education is present in personal contact, regardless of the environment, and can be aided by mechanisms that facilitate its comprehension through printed materials, educational technologies and the Internet, which is currently the most widespread means of communication(1-2). In the context of the surgical patient, guidance can be performed through educational actions with accessible language, aiding in clarifying questions and providing education regarding the perioperative period. The perioperative period is understood as the time span which comprises the following steps: immediate preoperative; trans-operative; intraoperative; anesthetic recovery and immediate postoperative(2-3)

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