POPI Pilot Study:
A Co-Designed Digital Resource to Support Children, Adolescents, and Their Families in Managing Emotions and Pain Around Major Orthopedic Surgery An Initial Evaluation of Usability, Feasibility, and Acceptability
Principal Investigator: PD Dr. phil. Helen Koechlin
Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Project Duration: September 2025 – January 2027
The period before and after major orthopedic surgery can be challenging for children, adolescents, and their families. Feelings of stress, uncertainty, and worry may contribute to increased pain and emotional distress during this time. Despite this, there are currently few resources available to help families prepare for surgery and to support them in managing pain and difficult emotions.
To address this need, the POPI app was developed in close collaboration with children, adolescents, parents, and families with lived experience of orthopedic surgery. The app provides evidence-informed information and practical support to help families navigate the surgical journey before and after an operation.
The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the app’s usability, feasibility, and acceptability among families preparing for major orthopedic surgery.
Families whose child or adolescent is scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery will be invited to test the POPI app.
Participants will complete several online questionnaires from home before and after surgery. The assessments are spread across several weeks. In addition, children, adolescents, and one parent will use the POPI app at least once before surgery and once after surgery. Families may use the app more frequently if they wish.
|
Baseline Assessment |
1st App Use |
Surgery |
2nd App Use |
Follow-up Assessment |
Final Assessment |
|
Day -14 |
Days -14 to -1 |
Surgery |
Days +1 to +14 |
Days +14 to +21 |
Day +28 |
|
Online questionnaire |
POPI app |
|
POPI app |
Online questionnaire |
Online interview |
At the end of the approximately four- to six-week study period, children/adolescents and one parent will take part in a brief online interview to share their experiences using the POPI app.
As a thank-you for their participation, each family will receive a CHF 20 gift voucher for either Galaxus or Orell Füssli.
The findings of this study will help us further refine the POPI app and support its future implementation for families undergoing orthopaedic surgery.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the study, please contact the Principal Investigator, Helen Koechlin:helen.koechlin@kispi.uzh.ch