Abstract:
The increasing digitalization of the medical sector and the ubiquitous utilization of smartphones in multiple areas of life, including healthcare, underscore the growing importance of digital and mobile health applications. In a healthcare context, the implementation of digital innovations is becoming increasingly important for rehabilitation and follow-up care. This study examines the potential for digital innovations to facilitate postoperative follow-up care after surgery. Following a randomized controlled trial, interviews were conducted with patients one year after surgery to assess their perceptions of the respective follow-up care. While digital aftercare has numerous advantages, such as more convenient querying of surveys via the mobile application and shorter waiting times, this study also demonstrates the risks and adoption barriers that are associated with these digital innovations. We highlight the challenges that arise when a traditional (in-person) medical process is digitized with the goal of replacing the medical practitioner.