Pre-Implementation Study of Improving Thoracic Surgical Care Using Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePROS)

This is a single-site, non-randomized study in patients receiving major thoracic surgery, which commonly involves chest wall incisions and overnight admission Eligible patients will be approached at any time point between their preoperative clinic visit and up to 30 days after discharge from the hospital. Approximately 60 patients will be enrolled in the study. Patients will complete symptom surveys via email or telephone. Concerning symptoms will generate alerts for the clinical care team who will follow their usual protocols for the management of symptoms. Patients will be purposively selected and invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to understand their experience using ePRO. Interviews will continue until 30 complete interviews are obtained and/or thematic saturation is reached.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• English speaking
• Able and willing to complete a web-based or telephonic symptom survey
• Planned to undergo surgery within 90 days or have undergone and been discharged from major thoracic surgery within the last 30 days.

Exclusion criteria

• Not completing planned surgery within 3 months of obtaining informed consent (for subjects recruited preoperatively)
• Inability to read and speak English
• Planned for foregut surgery (e.g. paraesophageal hernia repair, esophageal resection or repair)
• Having undergone only minor thoracic surgery (e.g. bronchoscopy, cervical mediastinoscopy)
• Dementia, altered mental status, or any psychiatric condition as determined by thoracic surgery provider team that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of informed consent.
• Current incarceration
• Pregnancy