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

DESCRIPTION
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. We know that patients become very debilitated after surgery, and that 95% of the time spent in the hospital is spent in bed. However, we do not know 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. We 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.

IMPACT
This study is currently in progress.

PEOPLE
Daniel Lee, MD, MS; Ryan Greysen, MD, MHS, MA; Thomas Guzzo, MD, MPH; David Asch, MD, MBA; and Stephen Kimmel, MD, MSCE.

PARTNERS
Abramson Cancer Center and the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE).

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

FOCUS
Clinical Transformation