Determining the relationship between learning needs and anxiety and depression levels of the individuals with hip and knee arthroplasty

Purpose: This study has been carried out in order to identify the relationship between learning needs and anxiety and depression levels of the individuals who have hip and knee arthroplasty. Method: Descriptive type of the sampling of the study consisted of 217 patients having hip or knee arthroplasty in orthopedy and traumatology clinics of a state hospital between June 2015 and May 2016. Ethics committee approval, institutional and scale permissions and written approvals from the patients were received before the study. Data were collected through Socio-demographic Features and Introductory Information Form, Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Face-to-face interview method was used while collecting data. Patients were interviewed within 24-48 hours before they were discharged from the hospital. Data were analyzed on SPSS 18 programme by using descriptive statistics, variance tests and correlation analysis. Findings: It was seen that 77 % of the patients were women, 39.2 % of them were in the group under 65 ages, 62.7 % of them were primary school graduate, 47.9 % of them lives in villages, 45.6 % of them were in obesity group, 77.9 % of them had a total knee arthroplasty and 74.2 % of them had an operation due to gonartrosis. Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS) total scales core average was identified as 158.1033.40. It was found out that learning needs of the patients were modarate, however, their priorities were within medicine, living activities, treatment and complications sub-dimensions. It was identified that 35.5 % of the patients had anxiety, 47 % of them had depression symptoms. A relationship was found out between anxiety sub-dimension (HAD-A) and Patient Learning Needs Scale total scale and all of its sub-dimensions. It was idenitified that there was a relationship between depression sub-dimension (HAD-D) and Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS) total scale, society and surveilance, situation-related feelings, treatment and complications, life quality sub-dimensions. It was identified that there were statistically significant differences and relationship between some socio-demographic and informative features of the patients and Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) sub-dimensions. Conclusion: As a result of the study learning need level of the patients were found as modarate. It was identified that anxiety and depression symptoms were observed in each one of three patients after arthroplasty operation. A relationship was identified between some sub-dimensions of patient learning needs scale and sub-dimensions of hospital anxiety and depression scale. Learning needs and psychological status of the individuals should be considered while planning the patient education. Key Words: Arthroplasty, patient learning needs, anxiety, depression, nursing.