Digital follow-up after thoracic surgery
Official title: The Development and Evaluation of a Digital Follow-up Program During the Initial Four Weeks After Discharge Home Following Thoracic Surgery. A Confirmatory, Single-center, Prospective, Non-blinded, Randomized, Controlled Study
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT07044440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether a digital follow-up program for adults discharged home after thoracic surgery can improve pain control and quality of life during the first 28 days after surgery compared with standard care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 2026 |
| Study ends | June 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07044440 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) who underwent thoracic surgery under general anesthesia at University Hospital Basel, stayed in hospital more than three nights, are discharged home, speak German or French, and can use (or have a household caregiver who can use) a smartphone or computer with email.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients on preoperative opioid or corticosteroid therapy, those unable to read or use digital tools, with significant cognitive or psychiatric impairment, or who are not treated or discharged home from the enrolling center are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults who had thoracic surgery at the University Hospital Basel and meet eligibility criteria are enrolled after discharge and assigned to either a digital outpatient follow-up program or standard follow-up care for 28 days. The digital arm uses electronic patient-reported outcome questionnaires delivered via smartphone or computer to monitor pain, symptoms, and recovery, with clinician alerts for concerning responses. Outcomes include postoperative pain management, quality of life measures, and healthcare use such as emergency visits or readmissions. Data are collected through the digital platform and hospital records to compare recovery trajectories between the two groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could enable earlier recognition and management of pain and complications, improving pain control, quality of life, and reducing unplanned healthcare use after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Digital follow-up and ePRO programs have reduced readmissions and emergency visits and improved patient experience in colorectal and cardiac surgery, but direct evidence for thoracic surgery is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who have signed an informed consent form and underwent a surgery performed at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the University Hospital Basel * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of informed consent * First participation in the Study * Patient operated under general anesthesia * Patients who are in possession of a smart phone or personal computer and have an e-mail account and are able to answer a digital questionnaire. Or an immediate caretaker in the same household owns a smartphone or personal computer and is familiar with the use * Patients who understand verbal and written German or French * Patients discharged at home after surgery * Hospital stay \> 3 nights after surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Patients under preoperative opioid/cortisone therapy * Patients who are unable to follow the procedure of the study, e. g. read or understand German or French, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. * Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent person * Patients with polytrauma or who underwent mediastinoscopy
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Zeljko Djakovic, MD
- Email: zeljko.djakovic@usb.ch
- Phone: +41 61 328 51 96
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.