Patient Experience and Outcomes with Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring for Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates patient satisfaction, engagement, and outcomes with remote monitoring in patients with TKA. Additionally, this study aimed to explore the impact of virtual one-year follow-up visit compared to in-person visit.

METHODS: Single-center retrospective data on TKA patients with Persona IQ® (PIQ) smart implants was analyzed. Remote monitoring and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) collection was enabled through mymobility digital care management platform. Patients had an option to select 1-year visit as virtual or in-person. Descriptive analysis of 1-year survey on RTM was reported. Differences in PROMs (VR12 MCS, VR12 PCS, KOOS Jr and VAS pain scores), surgery satisfaction and costs (charges) were compared between 1-year virtual and in-person visit group. Where applicable, comparisons were made using t-test and Chi-squared test.

RESULTS: Data included 50 patients with average age of 65.06 (±9.5) years and were 52% female. 31 (62%) patients opted for virtual 1-year follow-up visit. Based on survey, 3-months post-surgery 36% and 26% of the patients reviewed mymobility and PIQ data weekly and daily respectively. 84% of the patients responded that in future would choose remote monitoring for the second knee or other joint in the future. Baseline demographics and PROMs were similar between the groups. 74% of the patients in the virtual group had >40 minutes of travel time to the clinic compared to 58% for the in-person group (p=0.35). PROM scores at 1-year and change from the baseline were similar between the virtual and in-person groups (p>0.5). Satisfaction scores were high for both the groups (In-person: 8.76, Virtual: 8.87; p=0.83). Provider charges for 1-year in-person follow-up visit was significantly higher (In-person: $496.7, Virtual: 116.8; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients were engaged and satisfied with use of remote monitoring technologies. Remote monitoring and virtual visits may have potential reduce patient and provider cost burden maintaining similar outcomes as the traditional care.