Determination of learning needs in patients undergoing total knee prosthesis

The aim of this study was to determine the learning needs of patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery for the first time. This descriptive study was conducted between 01 September 2018 – 28 February 2019 in Turgutlu State Hospital orthopedics clinic in Turgutlu district of Manisa. The study sample consisted of 104 patients who underwent total knee replacement for the first time. Data were collected using Sociodemographic Data Collection Form and Patient Learning Needs Scale. Descriptive statistical methods were used in statistical analysis of data. 87.5% of the patients participated in the study were female, 53.8% were older than 65 years, 87.5% were married, 56.7% were primary school graduates, 72.1% were not working, 66.3% had chronic disease and had used continuous medication 44.2% of hospitalized patients were hospitalized for surgical reasons. It was determined that 92.3% of the patients participating in the study received discharge training, while 40.4% of the patients receiving discharge training received discharge training from physiotherapist. The total score of the study needs of the 104 patients included 191.18±25.19 and the significance level was 3.59. When the total and subscale of the Patient Learning Needs Scale were examined, the most important learning requirement for the patients in the skin care area (mean=20.75±2.57, significance level = 4.15), while the least significant learning requirement was related feelings about the situation (mean=16.17±4.50, significance level=3.23). According to the comparison of the scores obtained from the Patient Learning Needs Scale according to the age groups, the average learning needs of the patients in the age group of 66 and over were higher than the age group of 65, and the difference between the feelings about the situation and total mean scores of the sub-groups was statistically significant (p <0.05). When the total and subscale dimensions of Patient Learning Needs Scale were compared according to the length of hospitalization, a statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of life activities (p<0.05). The most important learning requirement of the patients who participated in the study was determined as how to care for the surgical wound. The results of this study showed that the patients who had total knee prosthesis surgery had significant pre-discharge learning needs, that pre-discharge information reduced their learning needs. Planned discharge training may be recommended according to the individual characteristics and learning needs of the patients. Keywords: total knee replacement; learning requirements; discharge; nursing