title: The patient's experience of early discharge following total hip replacement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strategies within the public health system to curtail costs, increase efficiency and service utilisation have resulted in reduced hospital stays following elective orthopaedic procedures. Although there are advantages that support the concept of early discharge from hospital, very little is known about how patients manage the transition from hospital to home.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the post-discharge experience of elderly patients following primary total hip replacement (THR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients, six women and four men, provided descriptions of their experience. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews and the analysis process was based on Giorgi's phenomenological scientific methodology (Giorgi, 1994, 1997, 2000).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis of the data resulted in four themes, namely; an inadequate assessment of suitable adaptive aids and personal needs; personal frustration; coping with the physical and mobility and limited social interaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study demonstrated a need to review the discharge process and implement strategies to prepare patients for the stressors that the participants in this study encountered as a result of their early discharge.
authors.affiliation: Royal Perth Hospital (Shenton Park Campus), Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: penny.reay@health.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Penelope A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Reay
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Services, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Ravani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duggan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
keywords: An inadequate assessment of suitable adaptive aids and personal needs; Coping with the physical and mobility; Discharge; Giorgi; Limited social interaction; Meaning units; Personal frustration; Phenomenology; Total hip replacement