Author(s): Jackson Hardy
Mentor(s): Arpit Christi
Institution Weber
Effective colonoscopy preparation is critical for accurately detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. Despite its importance, inadequate patient compliance with preparation instructions remains a persistent challenge, leading to suboptimal outcomes and missed detections. This undergraduate study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a novel mobile application designed to enhance patient adherence to colonoscopy preparation protocols compared to traditional paper-based methods. Our mobile app, developed as part of a multidisciplinary initiative, incorporates personalized reminders, educational photos, step-by-step preparation guides, and symptom-tracking capabilities to engage patients in an intuitive, user-friendly format. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate whether the app can significantly improve preparation quality, measured through bowel cleanliness scores, and subsequently increase the detection rates of precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial at clinical sites, with participants divided into two groups: one using the app for preparation guidance and the other following standard paper instructions. We will assess compliance rates, preparation quality, and the subsequent impact on polyp and cancer detection efficiency. Additionally, the research will collect qualitative feedback from participants to understand user experience and areas for app improvement. This study's significance lies in potentially improving patient outcomes and exploring how digital health interventions can play a transformative role in early cancer detection. As an undergraduate research project, this work demonstrates the feasibility and impact of student-led innovation in the healthcare domain, aiming to bridge the gap between technology and clinical practice. By leveraging mobile technology, we hope to set a precedent for future applications that enhance preventive care and save lives through early cancer detection.