In the hands of formal carers: Older patients’ experiences of care across the perioperative period for joint replacement surgery

SummaryTotal joint replacements of the hip or knee have become standard surgical procedures and lately more focus has been placed on the patient’s perspective.AimThe aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of care from all formal carers before, during, and after joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee.Study designA qualitative longitudinal design was chosen to capture the patients’ experiences from the time they were placed on the waiting list until one year after the operation. Analysis revealed that, initially, the operation itself was regarded as the key for reaching the goal of independence in every-day life. Patients became aware that all care related to the operation was essential. The meaning of care from formal carers appeared to be: wanting to be ‘in safe hands’ with competent formal carers across the entire perioperative period for the replacement surgery.ConclusionOur findings indicate that for a good outcome care characterized by continuous guidance from formal carers with expert knowledge of care and joint replacement surgery (competent) was necessary for patients to feel that they were ‘in safe hands’ across the perioperative period. This requires organisation of care that can offer guidance across the perioperative period.