Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of the Arthroplasty Patient Experience: Planning Phase in the Development of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore health care professionals' perceptions and perspectives of surgery and early recovery for patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty.

Design: Thematic analysis with semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Methods: Following ethical approval, interviews were performed with recovery room nurses (n=3), ward nurses (n=2), surgeons (n=5), anesthesiologists (n=5), physiotherapists (n=5), and occupational therapists (n=2). Data were analyzed using an in-depth narrative thematic analysis method. NVivo qualitative data analysis software was used.

Findings: Three main themes evolved from the interviews: immediate patient recovery issues, discharge criteria, and priorities during hospitalization from health care providers' perspectives.

Conclusions: The early postoperative recovery period can be a challenging time for health care providers and patients alike. However, identifying key areas of importance can provide insight and guide focus in clinical practice, thus improving patient recovery.

Keywords: orthopaedics; patient care team; perioperative period; qualitative nursing research.