AB150. SOH24AB_222. A cross-sectional exploration of electronic patient reported outcomes and experiences after laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Background: Patient feedback post-surgery is essential for effective patient care. Electronic forms of patient reported outcome (PRO) measures may be more pragmatic in a digital rich environment in comparison to more traditional paper-based PROs. However, the potential benefits of PRO collection for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) patients and the perceived value of electronic PRO measures in surgery is limited in the literature. The primary objective of this study is to investigate what PRO measures are more important for LC patients. The acceptability and perceived aspects that LC patients may have of electronic PRO measures is a secondary objective. Methods: This study is a prospective multi-site longitudinal study, using convenience sampling (n=69). It used a 50-item electronic questionnaire with Four-point Likert-type questions distributed through QualtricsTM. The population includes elective LC patients in Cork University Hospital (CUH) and Mercy University Hospital (MUH). For statistical analysis, Likert-type questions were collapsed into two categories. Chi-squared tests and Fisher's exact tests assessed what demographic factors were associated with the PRO measures patients found important. Results: The survey had 69 responses. The most important factors were the surgeon's communication skills and technical skills, ward cleanliness and nursing care standards. The least important factors included same day discharge and post-operative scar cosmesis. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were completed, showing statistically significant demographic associations. Conclusions: These results indicate which PROs are most important for patients and that electronic PRO collection is favorable. Future research should explore the electronic literacy of the patients completing the survey and directly contrast electronic PRO measures with conventional ones.