Utility of an augmented reality application in improving perceived quality after hospital discharge: the RACAR clinical trial

Abstract Introduction The use of digital health tools is becoming increasingly common. However, evidence regarding their impact on patient experience remains limited. The objective of this study was to assess whether an augmented reality application, provided at discharge in the Cardiology Department, improves perceived quality as measured by Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs). Methods a randomized clinical trial (1:1) was conducted involving patients hospitalized for the following cardiovascular conditions: acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and pacemaker implantation. The intervention group received a mobile application with augmented reality explaining their disease and post-discharge care, while the control group did not. Patient experience was assessed through a structured questionnaire at discharge. Responses to the initial questions were evaluated using Likert-type scales with answers such as 'Excellent', 'Good', 'Fair', 'Poor', and 'Very poor'. The final question assessed overall satisfaction with the Cardiology department on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest satisfaction level and 10 the highest. Results A total of 300 patients were included (152 in the intervention group and 148 in the control group). Age was similar in both groups: 73.5 63–80 vs. 76 65–81 years old, p=0.1. No significant differences were found in any of the rating questions between the two groups (Table 1). The response to the final question assessing the cardiology department also showed no differences: on a scale from 1 to 10, the median overall score was 9.4 9–10 in the intervention group and 9.2 9–10 in the control group (p = 0.14). Conclusions The use of an augmented reality application at discharge did not result in significant differences in the perception of the doctor–patient relationship, healthcare staff accessibility, or the likelihood of recommending the centre. These findings underscore the need for further randomized clinical trials to validate the effectiveness of digital health tools.Table 1