Digitalisation of Orthopaedic Information and Exercise Booklets

Project completed as part of the 2025 Hampshire Hospitals Green Team Competition. 

Project Team Members: 

• Harriet Corbett, physiotherapist 
• Laura Thomson, physiotherapist 

Setting / Patient Group: Trauma and elective orthopaedic wards at Hampshire Hospitals, adult patients pre- and post-operatively.

Issue: 

Patients currently receive therapy information and exercises in paper form, leading to high paper use, duplication, and risk of lost information. This impacts adherence to exercises and communication between healthcare professionals. Paper use also increases carbon footprint and costs.

Aim: 

Reduce paper usage for orthopaedic information and exercises, lower carbon footprint and costs, and improve patient access to information through digital formats.

Intervention: 

Estimated annual paper use and printing costs for elective and trauma patients. Developed digital delivery using QR codes and email, supported by IT. Maintained paper copies for patients unable to access digital formats. Proposed staff training to improve digital literacy.

Outcomes: 

Clinical Outcomes: The digital information provided is identical to the paper format, so standards of care remain unchanged. Literature suggests outcomes may stay the same or improve due to better engagement and timely access. No adverse effects anticipated.

Environmental: Estimated savings of 487 kgCO2e per year from external booklet switch and 139 kgCO2e from internal printing reduction, equivalent to 24,078 gloves or 28.5 outpatient appointments. 

Economic: Printing costs of £5,325 per year eliminated by digital approach. 

Social: Informal feedback showed younger patients prefer digital, older patients prefer paper. Digital access improves timeliness and convenience of care.

Key Learning: 

Digitalisation supports sustainability and efficiency but requires consideration of digital exclusion and patient preferences. Maintaining paper options is essential for equity. Barriers include variable IT literacy, Wi-Fi reliability, and risk of patients downloading incorrect booklets. Clear guidance and staff training are needed. The project demonstrates potential for wider application across therapy services and other healthcare contexts.