title: Patients' discharge information needs after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a quasi-qualitative pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Discharge information needs are known to be common problems for total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA) patients due to surgical and technological developments of arthroplasty, treatment procedures, and reducing the duration of hospitalization. The purpose of this study is to collect individual interviews about information needs of patients who have had THA or TKA for the first time.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-qualitative study was conducted in orthopedic wards of a university hospital in Turkey. Descriptive data were collected using a Patient Information Form and the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS). Individual interviews data were collected by open-ended questions related to PLNS subscales 24-48 hours before discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 37 patients studied was 64.97 ± 13.66, 70.3% were female, 56.8% had THA for the first time. Similar to individual interviews, the patients reported that the most important learning needs were about treatment and complications, activities of living, and enhancing quality of life. In addition, patient's age had a significant impact on PLNS scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study sought to determine Turkish THA or TKA patients' priority of learning needs on discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After an evaluation of the conclusions, healthcare professionals can contribute to the development of scheduling programs for patients who are discharged following THA or TKA surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. msendir@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Merdiye
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Şendir
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Büyükyılmaz
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muşovi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Patient learning needs; arthroplasty patients; discharge information; individual interview