Yoeri Bemelmans

Chapter 2 22 Furthermore, patients underwent a physical education session by the hospital physiotherapists and were trained to walk with crutches and climbing stairs. A preoperative consultation by the anaesthesiologist was performed to prepare and discuss type anaesthesia during surgery, and consultation by a nurse to help patients preparing their environment prior to surgery. Table 1. Content of the brochure. Topic Subtopic Preoperative information and preparation ● Information on the illness and arthroplasty procedure ● Expectations after surgery regarding functional improvements and possible adverse events ● Home preparations ● Relative or coach selection for postoperative aiding ● Screening by anaesthesiologist and nurse ● Physical physiotherapy education class Hospital admission ● Timetable of admission ● Procedures and transfers within the hospital ● Preoperative medication protocol ● General preparations for surgery Postoperative treatment ● Expectations after surgery regarding anaesthesia, pain and length of hospital stay ● Exercise instructions and physiotherapy sessions ● Self-administration of thrombosis prophylaxis ● Postoperative medication protocol ● Wound care ● Discharge criteria Follow-up after surgery ● Information in case of any adverse events or questions after discharge ● Postoperative outpatient visits Procedure Patients were invited to participate on their six weeks postoperative visit. It was assumed that within this timeframe, patients would still remember their experiences after surgery, and they had enough opportunities to actually apply the information of the brochure. Participants who received primary elective KA surgery and who are able to read and understand the Dutch language were eligible candidates. Patients who were not able to read the brochure (e.g. because of cognitive disorders) and/or experienced severe complications (e.g. requiring re-admission or re-operation) after surgery, were excluded. Eligible participants received an information letter and gavewritten informed consent. The interview took place at the patient’s home.