Nurse-led telephone follow-up after total knee arthroplasty--content and the patients' views

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To generate information on how telephone follow-up consultations, structured by nursing status according to the VIPS-model, functioned after total knee arthroplasty. The objectives were to unfold the content of the telephone follow-ups according to the structure for nursing status and to explore the patients' views of the telephone follow-ups.

BACKGROUND: The length of stay in hospital following total knee arthroplasty has fallen markedly, and patients now have to be responsible for their recovery from a very early stage. After discharge, patients may experience a variety of health problems. A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of telephone follow-up, and information on how the telephone follow-ups functioned is relevant for implementation into clinical practice.

DESIGN: A qualitative design was used.

METHOD: One hundred and four case reports from telephone follow-up consultations and individual interviews with 10 patients formed the data material. Content analysis was used for the analysis.

RESULTS: The content of the telephone follow-ups included dialogues relating to all key subjects for nursing status except 'culture/spirituality'. The structured Telephone follow-up was valued by total knee arthroplasties patients as representing a holistic approach and providing adequate information, counselling and support after discharge to home. Three categories were identified with regard to the patients' views: 'A means for reflection and provision of adequate information and counselling', 'Supportive' and 'Not the only resource for support and counselling'.

CONCLUSION: Nursing status according to the VIPS model is a comprehensive structure to identify the need for counselling, information and support after total knee arthroplasty. The structured telephone follow-ups were valued for representing a holistic approach and providing adequate information, counselling and support after discharge to home. Conducting telephone follow-up with a holistic approach demands specialised and broad nursing experience.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Postdischarge follow-up is important.