JOA - 2026-09-21 - Journal Article
More Tech-Savvy Than You Think: Digital Proficiency Among Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients.
Lam AD, Parikh N, Valenzuela M, LaGreca M, Hobbs J, Saxena A, Star A
Topics
Key Takeaway
Among TJA patients (mean age 70), daily smartphone use was high in both age groups (80% in ≥65 vs. 85% in <65), but patients ≥65 showed significantly lower proficiency on complex multi-step tasks such as calendar entry (44% vs. 77%, P<0.001).
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Summary
This prospective single-institution survey assessed smartphone ownership and digital proficiency via the 16-item Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire in 201 TJA patients (mean age 70, 19.4% under 65). Daily smartphone use was high across both age cohorts (80–85%), with no significant difference in foundational skills (menu navigation, keyboard use, email). Patients ≥65 demonstrated significantly lower proficiency on complex multi-step tasks including appointment checking (51% vs. 77%), calendar entry (44% vs. 77%), and photo-sharing by email (52% vs. 80%).
Key Limitation
Convenience sampling at a single academic center likely selects for higher socioeconomic status and baseline digital literacy, limiting generalizability to community or safety-net TJA populations.
Original Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Smartphones and other digital devices can support patient-reported outcomes and perioperative data collection. Their efficacy in engaging the predominantly elderly total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smart device use and proficiency among TJA patients across age groups.
METHODS
We prospectively surveyed a convenience sample of 201 patients who presented for total hip or total knee arthroplasty at a single academic institution. The mean age was 70 years, and 39 patients (19.4%) were younger than 65 years. Patients completed the 16-item Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire and additional questions regarding device use frequency. Survey responses were compared between patients aged > 65 years and those less than 65 years.
RESULTS
Daily smartphone use was common in both age groups (85% in less than 65 years versus 80% in ≥ 65 years; P = 0.005). Patients reported similar ease navigating onscreen menus, typing on onscreen keyboards, and sending emails across age groups (P > 0.05 for each). Younger patients reported higher proficiency checking upcoming and prior appointment information (77 [95% confidence interval (CI), 61 to 89] versus 51% [95% CI, 43 to 59]; P = 0.005), entering events into calendars (77 [95% CI, 61 to 89] versus 44% [95% CI, 37 to 52]; P < 0.001), and sending pictures by email from smart devices (80 [95% CI, 64 to 91] versus 52% [95% CI, 44 to 60]; P = 0.013).
DISCUSSION
Older patients demonstrated lower proficiency with complex, multi-step mobile device tasks, but comparable proficiency with foundational digital skills, including menu navigation, keyboard use, and emails. These skills can directly translate into orthopaedic practice engagement via application-based data collection or web-based survey distribution. These findings support hybrid digital strategies that use accessible, low-complexity tools to improve patient-reported outcomes collection and research participation.