The Effects of Postoperative Physician Phone Calls for Hand and Wrist Fractures: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background In this study, we sought to determine if postoperative physician phone calls following hand and wrist fracture surgery improve patient outcomes, satisfaction, and treatment adherence. Methodology We prospectively enrolled 24 consecutive adult patients who underwent outpatient surgery for isolated hand and wrist fractures at a single, metropolitan, safety-net hospital over one year to receive an additional physician phone call starting on postoperative day one. We measured preoperative and postoperative Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire (bMHQ) composite score, overall satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale, compliance with treatment recommendations, presence of complications, discharge instructions reading level, and clarity of discharge and follow-up instructions. The surgical team was blinded to the treatment arm. Results The bMHQ score improved 26% after surgery; however, there was no difference in absolute score change between groups (12.2 vs. 6.5, p = 0.69). Most patients were satisfied throughout all stages of care, but postoperative satisfaction did not differ between groups (1.4 vs. 2.5, p = 0.21). There was a stronger correlation between patient hand function and satisfaction starting one month after surgery (R2 = 0.502, p = 0.002) than preoperatively (R2 = 0.252, p = 0.029). Immediately following surgery, most patients stated that discharge instructions were clear, and the average readability was below the average patient education level. Despite this, 13% removed their splint or Kirschner wires, 67% did not follow up within a week of recommendation, 62% did not complete postoperative treatment, and 33% had complications. Conclusions Postoperative phone calls by physicians did not improve compliance with recommendations, patient-rated outcome measures, or clinical outcomes among our hand and wrist fracture patient population.