mHealth Applications as a Tool to Support Pre- and Post-Operative Healthcare: An Integrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5327/prmj.991Keywords:
telemedicine, preoperative care, postoperative care, remote patient monitoring, health educationAbstract
Introduction: Preoperative and postoperative care are critical stages of healthcare delivery, directly influencing clinical outcomes, patient safety, and the occurrence of complications. The increasing incorporation of mobile health (mHealth) applications has expanded opportunities for education, remote monitoring, and communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Purpose: To analyze the scientific evidence available in the literature regarding the use of mHealth applications as a support tool for preoperative and postoperative care. Methods: An integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS databases, including articles published between 2020 and 2025. Original studies, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews addressing the use of mHealth applications in the perioperative context were included. Results: Thirty studies were included and organized into four thematic categories: health education and preoperative preparation; adherence and self-care in the postoperative period; remote monitoring and professional–patient communication; and usability, challenges, and limitations of mHealth applications. The results indicate improved adherence to guidelines, increased patient engagement, and potential reduction of complications, although methodological limitations remain. Conclusions: mHealth applications are promising tools to support preoperative and postoperative care. However, more robust and standardized studies are required to consolidate their clinical effectiveness.
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References
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