Ready for Tonsillectomy

Functionality & Mechanism Developed at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, this educational system prepares pediatric patients and their families for tonsillectomy. The interface delivers pedagogical content using animations and age-appropriate analogies, guiding users through pre-operative preparation, anesthesia, and post-operative recovery. The system integrates coping strategies to mitigate patient anxiety and delivers notifications to caregivers regarding post-surgical care milestones and symptom management. It is intended for use from surgical scheduling through at-home recovery.

Evidence & Research Context

• A preliminary user-testing evaluation (N=30 children aged 5-12, plus caregivers and 6 clinicians) demonstrated high feasibility, with 96.3% of enrolled participants using the app.
• Patient and caregiver ratings for usability and likeability were high, with mean scores of 6.3 out of 7 and 6.5 out of 7, respectively.
• Among caregivers who used the app during recovery, 92.3% reported it facilitated the management of their child's post-operative pain.
• Otolaryngologists endorsed the app's quality and informational value (mean MARS domain scores >4.1/5) and indicated a high likelihood of recommending it to patients.

Intended Use & Scope This system is designed as an adjunctive educational tool for pediatric patients, their caregivers, and otolaryngologists. Its primary utility is to prepare families for tonsillectomy and support post-operative symptom management. The application does not provide medical advice or diagnosis and is not a substitute for direct consultation with a qualified clinical provider.