Effect of Telephonic Reminder on Patient's Compliance for follow up after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether phone reminders would improve patients compliance in terms of
timely follow up, adherence to medical and dietary advise in patients after laparoscopic
cholecystectomy.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study which was carried out in Services Hospital Lahore. A
total of 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were selected and randomly
allocated into two groups. Patients in group Awere reminded about follow up through a telephone
call and patients in group B were not contacted through telephone and turn out the patients was
observed in the OPD. Chi square test was applied to compare the groups. P value less than 0.05
was considered as statistically significant. Stratification was done for age, gender and education
level.
Results: Mean age of patients was 42.8 years. 64% of patients were females. Out of 50 patients,
30 (60%)adhered to the advice after in group A(after telephonic remainder) while out of 50
patients, 16 (32%)patients remained compliant to the advice in group B (no telephonic
remainder). In addition younger patient were more compliant.
Conclusions: It was concluded that telephonic reminder had a statistically significant impact on
the adherence of advice of doctor and young patients had a better response to the follow and to
medical advice.