Patients’ Usability Experience with a postoperative follow-up web application

Fernanda Anabel  Vera Quiroz; Maria Elena  Cofre Costa; Judith Inmaculada Francisco Pérez

Patients’ Usability Experience with a postoperative follow-up web application

Fernanda Anabel Vera Quiroz
, Maria Elena Cofre Costa
, Judith Inmaculada Francisco Pérez^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Surgical complications increase morbidity, mortality, and costs, underscoring the need for effective postoperative follow-up. Digital tools can reduce complications, but their usability remains unexplored in Ecuador. This study evaluated the usability of a postoperative monitoring app among 62 patients from a public hospital using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean SUS score was 65.69 (SD = 18.68), indicating moderate usability. Participants rated ease of use (M = 3.31) and confidence (M = 3.40) favorably but reported challenges with complexity (M = 1.85) and need for support (M = 1.56). Younger and more educated users scored higher, though differences were not statistically significant; no gender-based variations emerged. Positive perceptions were associated with ease of use and system integration, while perceived complexity and need for support negatively impacted the user experience. Optimizing the interface to enhance accessibility, especially for older adults, is recommended.

Translated title of the contribution	Experiencia de usabilidad de los pacientes con una aplicación web de seguimiento postoperatorio
Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Patient Experience
State	Submitted - 31 May 2025

Cite this

@article{fc325e072b704b28ad298ada099b81b6,

title = "Patients{\textquoteright} Usability Experience with a postoperative follow-up web application",

abstract = "Surgical complications increase morbidity, mortality, and costs, underscoring the need for effective postoperative follow-up. Digital tools can reduce complications, but their usability remains unexplored in Ecuador. This study evaluated the usability of a postoperative monitoring app among 62 patients from a public hospital using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean SUS score was 65.69 (SD = 18.68), indicating moderate usability. Participants rated ease of use (M = 3.31) and confidence (M = 3.40) favorably but reported challenges with complexity (M = 1.85) and need for support (M = 1.56). Younger and more educated users scored higher, though differences were not statistically significant; no gender-based variations emerged. Positive perceptions were associated with ease of use and system integration, while perceived complexity and need for support negatively impacted the user experience. Optimizing the interface to enhance accessibility, especially for older adults, is recommended.",

keywords = "Patient Experience, Patient-Centered Care, Usability Testing, Postoperative Monitoring, Mobile Health Applications",

author = "\{Vera Quiroz\}, \{Fernanda Anabel\} and \{Cofre Costa\}, \{Maria Elena\} and \{Francisco P{\'e}rez\}, \{Judith Inmaculada\}",

year = "2025",

month = may,

day = "31",

language = "English",

journal = "Journal of Patient Experience",

issn = "2374-3735",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Patients’ Usability Experience with a postoperative follow-up web application

AU - Vera Quiroz, Fernanda Anabel

AU - Cofre Costa, Maria Elena

AU - Francisco Pérez, Judith Inmaculada

PY - 2025/5/31

Y1 - 2025/5/31

N2 - Surgical complications increase morbidity, mortality, and costs, underscoring the need for effective postoperative follow-up. Digital tools can reduce complications, but their usability remains unexplored in Ecuador. This study evaluated the usability of a postoperative monitoring app among 62 patients from a public hospital using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean SUS score was 65.69 (SD = 18.68), indicating moderate usability. Participants rated ease of use (M = 3.31) and confidence (M = 3.40) favorably but reported challenges with complexity (M = 1.85) and need for support (M = 1.56). Younger and more educated users scored higher, though differences were not statistically significant; no gender-based variations emerged. Positive perceptions were associated with ease of use and system integration, while perceived complexity and need for support negatively impacted the user experience. Optimizing the interface to enhance accessibility, especially for older adults, is recommended.

AB - Surgical complications increase morbidity, mortality, and costs, underscoring the need for effective postoperative follow-up. Digital tools can reduce complications, but their usability remains unexplored in Ecuador. This study evaluated the usability of a postoperative monitoring app among 62 patients from a public hospital using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean SUS score was 65.69 (SD = 18.68), indicating moderate usability. Participants rated ease of use (M = 3.31) and confidence (M = 3.40) favorably but reported challenges with complexity (M = 1.85) and need for support (M = 1.56). Younger and more educated users scored higher, though differences were not statistically significant; no gender-based variations emerged. Positive perceptions were associated with ease of use and system integration, while perceived complexity and need for support negatively impacted the user experience. Optimizing the interface to enhance accessibility, especially for older adults, is recommended.

KW - Patient Experience

KW - Patient-Centered Care

KW - Usability Testing

KW - Postoperative Monitoring

KW - Mobile Health Applications

M3 - Article

SN - 2374-3735

JO - Journal of Patient Experience

JF - Journal of Patient Experience

ER -