𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡-𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨
𝘙𝘌𝘉𝘖𝘙𝘕 𝘈𝘱𝘱 - 𝘌𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦
For breast cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery, informed consent is critical to their care. Yet the process can be overwhelming. Patients may struggle to understand and remember details about their options and potential complications, given their emotional state post-diagnosis.
“Studies have shown that patients often sign consent documents without fully understanding the risks, benefits, and complications of surgical procedures,” said Dr Clement Chia, Head, Breast Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH).
To help facilitate informed consent decisions for breast cancer care, Dr Chia and Dr Jolie Hwee, Head, Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetics Surgery from KTPH, together with Nanyang Technological University Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and creative tech solutions agency MAGES Studio, developed a digital app to redesign the informed consent process for patients undergoing reconstructive breast surgery.
Called Redefining Education for Breast Oncology and Reconstruction (REBORN), the app uses innovative educational techniques such as flipped classroom, microlearning, and augmented reality to educate patients on their surgical options and procedures and possible complications. The information is presented bite-sized and visually in the app, which patients can view while waiting for their consultation with the plastic surgeon. This has enhanced their understanding and visualisation of post-surgery outcomes.
Patients can review the information anytime at their convenience by visiting the REBORN website with their unique patient ID. The website’s chatbot is available 24/7 for patients to ask questions about their surgery. This helps them discuss the options with family members before making a decision together.
Dr Chia said, “REBORN has brought us great fulfilment. Seeing our patients benefitting from using it, and knowing that a simple app can have a great positive impact on their decision-making process and care outcomes is heartening.”
Dr Chia and Dr Hwee are working on refining the app further and translating it into Mandarin to reach out to more patients. The team is also in discussions with the Breast Cancer Foundation and other hospitals on expanding the pilot and widening its reach to more breast cancer patients across Singapore.
