Impact of a visual mobile terminal-based continuity of care model on caregiver competence of children with enterostomies.

Background: Children with critical acute abdominal conditions often undergo intestinal stoma surgery.

Aim: To explore the impact of a visual mobile terminal-based extended care model on caregiver competence for children with enterostomies.

Methods: One hundred twenty children with enterostomies and their caregivers in a children's hospital in Beijing were divided into a control group and a study group. The control group (60 cases) received traditional telephone follow-up for continuity of care, while the study group (60 cases) used a visualization mobile terminal-based care model. The incidence of stoma-related complications, caregiver burden scale, and competence scores of children with stoma were compared between the two groups.

Results: The primary caregiver burden score in the study group (37.22 ± 3.17) was significantly lower than that in the control group (80.00 ± 4.47), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Additionally, the caregiving ability score of the study group (172.08 ± 3.49) was significantly higher than that of the control group (117.55 ± 4.28; P < 0.05). The total incidence of complications in the study group (11.7%, 7/60) was significantly lower compared to the control group (33.3%, 20/60; χ ² = 8.086, P = 0.004).

Conclusion: The visual mobile terminal-based care model reduces caregiver burden, improves home care ability, lowers the incidence of complications and readmission rates, and supports successful second-stage reduction surgery for children with enterostomies.