# The Impact of a Digital Health Pathway on Complications Following HIFU Treatment in Prostate Cancer Patients—A Pre- and Postintervention Study

## TL;DR

A digital health app reduced infections and unplanned visits after prostate cancer HIFU treatment, improving patient outcomes.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that a mobile health pathway reduces complications in focal prostate cancer therapy.

## Key findings

- Post-intervention group had fewer symptomatic urinary infections (3 vs. 10; p = 0.019).
- Fewer unplanned visits after app implementation (4 vs. 10; p = 0.047).
- No significant change in acute urinary retention or unplanned communication rates.

## Abstract

The use of digital health systems may enhance patient outcomes and its benefits has been demonstrated recently in prostate cancer patients undergoing surgery Focal therapy, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, of prostate cancer emerged as alternative to surgery in low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. This study analyzed the impact of a digital application on complications and unplanned contacts with the medical team after focal treatment of prostate cancer. We found a decrease in infectious complications as well as unplanned visits after the use of the application. Hence, the implementation of these programs might be beneficial in focal therapy of prostate cancer.

Background/Objectives: Digital health pathways, including prehabilitation programs, may help reduce complications after urologic procedures. This study assesses the impact of a digital health intervention on infectious complications, urinary retention, and unplanned patient contacts after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer. Methods: A pre-/post-intervention study design was applied. The intervention consisted of implementing a mobile health pathway via a mobile application integrated into the perioperative management of patients undergoing HIFU treatment for prostate cancer. Urinary complication rates and unplanned patient contacts with the surgical team before and after implementation were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: 58 patients were included in the analysis. Demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics were comparable between both groups. The post-intervention group showed a lower incidence of symptomatic urinary infections (3 vs. 10; p = 0.019) and fewer unplanned visits (4 vs. 10; p = 0.047) after the implementation of the mobile application. No significant differences in rates of acute urinary retention and unplanned communication with the surgical team were observed. Conclusions: Integration of a digital health pathway was associated with reduced infectious complications and fewer unplanned visits after HIFU treatment. Incorporating such tools into perioperative management may improve patient outcomes.