Gastro-application for smartphone

The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The preparation process, which begins days in advance of the procedure, includes dietary restrictions and requires specific bowel preparation medication to be taken at strict intervals. The better the preparation, the easier it is for doctors to see cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon. The study, which was conducted by the gastroenterologists of Arizona Digestive Health in Phoenix, featured the first doctor-designed app of its kind.

“Getting ready for a colonoscopy is difficult. There are a lot of steps,” said Nilay Kavathia, MD, a gastroenterology fellow at Phoenix VA, who is one of the application's developers. “For patients, having an interactive, simplified and personalized app on their phone is like having a doctor at their side throughout the process.”