Tailoring a mobile pain-management app for youth post-cardiac surgery

May 23, 2025 from 12:10pm EST to 12:40pm EST

One in five children who undergo cardiac surgery report experiencing pain lasting more than 3 months after surgery. Many of these patients experience moderate to severe pain intensity, which has a significant impact on quality of life.  iCanCope with Post-Operative Pain (“iCanCope POP”) is a smartphone app that provides adolescents with evidence-based strategies to manage post-operative pain. The goal of this study was to explore the unique needs and pain-management experiences of youth undergoing cardiac surgery to inform the development of a tailored iteration of iCanCope POP.

A descriptive qualitative design using semi-structured interviews and focus groups was conducted with adolescents ages 12-18 who had received cardiac surgery, caregivers of youth undergoing cardiac surgery, and interdisciplinary healthcare providers. Qualitative data were inductively and deductively coded using a content analysis approach to outline participants’ pain management experiences and perspectives on the iCanCope POP app.

14 interviews and 1 focus group were completed with 6 children, 6 parents, and 13 healthcare providers. Preliminary analysis highlighted 3 key themes: 1. Pre-operative expectations and preparation (e.g. timeline, technology versus in person approaches); 2. Post-operative support and recovery (e.g. pharmacological management, clinical support, unexpected setbacks); and 3. App usefulness and modifications (e.g. visual progress, age appropriateness, timeline).

Preliminary analysis identified various aspects of the cardiac surgery journey that could be enhanced by the iCanCope POP app. Future research should use these perspectives to inform the co-design of a new iteration of the iCanCope POP app specifically for youth undergoing cardiac surgery.

Speakers / Panelists

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    Tieghan Killackey
    RN PhD, CCN(c)