AAOS Introduces New Apps for Surgeons, Patients

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has debuted new apps that help physicians explain musculoskeletal problems and procedures to patients. The apps cover total knee replacement, total hip replacement and ACL reconstruction and can be loaded onto exam room desktops or used on iPads.

“Rich illustrations, 3-D rotatable models, animations and video help our patients become more involved in their care, ” said Joel Mayerson, M.D., chair of the AAOS Patient Education Committee, in the June 1, 2016 news release. “These apps allow surgeons to create customized user-friendly preoperative teaching aids for our patients, which can help in their treatment process.”

Dr. Mayerson told OTW, “The patient education committee worked with Visual Health Solutions to customize each educational video and improve patient understanding of the major steps in their care for total hip and knee replacements as well as ACL reconstruction. We also helped create a point of care experience that can be customized by the physician, reviewed with the patient in the office and then taken home to review after the office visit in the comfort of their home. By providing improved patient education prior to surgery, we hope to improve physician-patient communication as well as overall treatment outcomes.”