Bohn Courtney E, McQuistan Michelle R, McKernan Susan C, Askelson Natoshia M
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX.
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa City, IA.
J Prosthodont. 2018 Apr;27(4):329-334. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12667. Epub 2017 Sep 5.
Numerous patient education apps have been developed to explain dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions and preferences regarding the use of apps in dental settings.
Four patient education apps describing fixed partial dentures were demonstrated to participants (N = 25). Questions about each app were asked using a semi-structured interview format to assess participants' opinions about each app's content, images, features, and use. Sessions were analyzed via note-based methods for thematic coding.
Participants believed that apps should be used in conjunction with a dentist's explanation about a procedure. They desired an app that could be tailored for scope of content. Participants favored esthetic images of teeth that did not show structural anatomy, such as tooth roots, and preferred interactive features.
Patient education apps may be a valuable tool to enhance patient-provider communication in dental settings. Participants exhibited varying preferences for different features among the apps and expressed the desire for an app that could be personalized to each patient. Additional research is needed to assess whether the use of apps improves oral health literacy and informed consent among patients.
已开发出众多患者教育应用程序来解释牙科治疗。本研究的目的是评估在牙科环境中使用应用程序的认知和偏好。
向参与者（N = 25）展示了四个描述固定局部义齿的患者教育应用程序。使用半结构化访谈形式询问有关每个应用程序的问题，以评估参与者对每个应用程序的内容、图像、功能和使用的看法。通过基于笔记的主题编码方法对访谈进行分析。
参与者认为应用程序应与牙医对治疗过程的解释相结合使用。他们希望有一个可以根据内容范围进行定制的应用程序。参与者更喜欢不显示结构解剖（如牙根）的牙齿美观图像，并更喜欢交互式功能。
患者教育应用程序可能是加强牙科环境中患者与提供者沟通的有价值工具。参与者对应用程序中的不同功能表现出不同的偏好，并表示希望有一个可以针对每个患者进行个性化定制的应用程序。需要进一步研究以评估应用程序的使用是否能提高患者的口腔健康素养和知情同意程度。
