Use of Social Incentives to Change Behaviors, Improve Ambulation and Health Outcomes After Major Abdominal Surgeries for Cancer

Major surgeries for cancer bear significant risks, especially for an at-risk elderly population. For cystectomies (removal of the bladder for bladder cancer), 67% of patients will have a major complication, 40% will be readmitted to the hospital, and 5% will die within 90 days of the surgery. Patients become very debilitated after surgery, and that 95% of the time spent in the hospital is spent in bed. However, it remains unclear the best way to influence a change in behavior, to improve mobility and fitness after surgery, and how those changes can affect how well patients do after treatment. PC3I researchers will therefore be performing a trial and evaluation of social incentives to improve ambulation and health outcomes after major abdominal surgeries, such as radical cystectomy.

Potential impact includes improved ambulation and post-operational health outcomes for patients undergoing abdominal surgeries.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

Abramson Cancer Center (ACC); Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)