Patients’ conceptions of preoperative physiotherapy education before hip arthroplasty

Abstract

In Finland, over 7500 hip arthroplasties are performed annually. While the mean age of the patients has increased, the length of hospital stay has decreased, and this presents challenges for patient education. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ conceptions of preoperative physiotherapy education. This qualitative study included 10 hip arthroplasty patients. Data were collected using individual interviews at home before collecting preoperative information, and at the hospital after the operation. The interviews were tape-recorded and analysed using the phenomenographic method. Four hierarchically constructed categories of preoperative physiotherapy education were identified: readiness for the operation, preparing for the rehabilitation, actor within the hospital service system and independent actor. These categories were analysed through the following themes: knowledge about hip arthroplasty, action skills, body understanding and trusting encounter. According to the patients’ conceptions, in preoperative physiotherapy education gaining knowledge is the key element, which should be combined with practical elements. This requires a trusting relationship between the patient and the physiotherapist. Two critical aspects can be identified: how the readiness for the operation could shift towards preparation for rehabilitation, and widening the perspective from preparing for rehabilitation to being the actor within the hospital service system.