Mobile Application in Stoma Care Education: STOMA-M

Colorectal cancers are the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Stoma surgery still remains a surgical treatment and life-saving procedure for colorectal cancers. Stoma care nurses play an important role in ensuring the continuity of care in the process until and after the discharge of patients with a stoma. They can help patients cope with the diagnosis, teach practical skills related to stoma care and provide supportive counselling. However, recent advances in technology, as robotic and laparoscopic procedures shortened hospital stay, patient and their families do not have enough time for stoma care counselling during their stay. In our country, due to the scarcity of the number of stoma care nurses and designated colorectal surgery units, individuals with stoma fail to acquire the necessary information related to stoma care. These patients and relatives have to deal with many problems after being discharged. To fill this gap, Stoma-Mobile (STOMA-M) application is designed to provide a standardized basic stoma care approach to patients and caregivers. In this article, the description, development purpose and the characteristics of STOMA-M application for those who suffer from STOMA-M and their relatives, and the health care professionals will be shared. In this article, the purpose of STOMA-M application, development purpose and characteristics of STOMA-M applications will be discussed. With STOMA-M application, individuals with a stoma will have the necessary information about stoma care, living with stoma and complication management. STOMA-M is intended to be a guide for patients who have undergone stoma surgery, their caregivers, stoma and wound care nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals.