Evaluating a Digital Follow-up Program to Improve Pain Management and Quality of Life in Adults After Thoracic Surgery During the First 4 Weeks at Home

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a digital follow-up program can improve pain management and quality of life during the first 28 days after patients return home following thoracic surgery. The study focuses on adults who have undergone surgery for thoracic conditions such as malignancies, trauma, or chronic pulmonary diseases. While enhanced recovery programs have improved outcomes in surgery generally, their effect on quality of life after thoracic surgery is not well studied, especially regarding pain and early complication detection. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receives digital follow-up via health questionnaires plus routine outpatient visits on days 14 and 28 after surgery, with the option to request doctor interaction anytime during the 28 days the other group receives standard care with routine outpatient visits only on days 14 and 28. The digital program is delivered through a smartphone or personal computer, and patients or their caregivers must be able to use these tools and understand German or French. The study period covers the first 28 days after discharge home. During the study, participants complete questionnaires about their pain and general well-being. Researchers track pain perception at 4 weeks after discharge as the main outcome. They also monitor analgesic use, emergency consultations, readmissions, and postoperative complications during the 4-week period. Safety and quality of life aspects are closely followed, with data collected through digital reports and scheduled visits. The total participation time in the study is 28 days post-discharge.

Digital Follow-up Program After Discharge Home Following Thoracic Surgery