The use of mobile health to evolve outpatient thoracic surgical care: a focus on implementation, patient engagement, arrhythmia detection and cardiovascular risk reduction

Abstract

This thesis has demonstrated the use of mobile health devices for up to three months after cardiothoracic surgery. Mobile health devices, as used in this thesis, were found to increase postoperative atrial fibrillation detection, which may also positively impact complications such as ischemic stroke. Moreover, this thesis demonstrated a positive impact of mobile health on both blood pressure and cholesterol level outcomes, which is hypothesized to be related to an increased patient engagement. Potential pitfalls of mobile health are mHealth literacy in both patients and healthcare providers, data integration and data safety. Future researchers are advised to focus on these factors when implementing or improving mobile health interventions.