Mobile Application in Stoma Care Education: STOMA-M

Abstract

Colorectal cancers are the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Stoma sur gery still remains a surgical treatment and life-saving procedure for colorectal cancers. Stomacare nurses play an important role in ensuring the continuity of care in the process until andafter the discharge of patients with a stoma. They can help patients cope with the diagnosis,teach practical skills related to stoma care and provide supportive counselling. However, re cent advances in technology, as robotic and laparoscopic procedures shortened hospital stay,patient and their families do not have enough time for stoma care counselling during theirstay. In our country, due to the scarcity of the number of stoma care nurses and designatedcolorectal surgery units, individuals with stoma fail to acquire the necessary information re lated to stoma care. These patients and relatives have to deal with many problems after beingdischarged. To fill this gap, Stoma-Mobile (STOMA-M) application is designed to provide astandardized basic stoma care approach to patients and caregivers. In this article, the de scription, development purpose and the characteristics of STOMA-M application for those whosuffer from STOMA-M and their relatives, and the health care professionals will be shared. Inthis article, the purpose of STOMA-M application, development purpose and characteristics ofSTOMA-M applications will be discussed. With STOMA-M application, individuals with a stomawill have the necessary information about stoma care, living with stoma and complicationmanagement. STOMA-M is intended to be a guide for patients who have undergone stomasurgery, their caregivers, stoma and wound care nurses, physicians and other healthcare pro fessionals.