Article

PURPOSE: To explore factors related to the indecision of older adults with knee
osteoarthritis (OA) about receiving physician-recommended total knee arthroplasty
(TKA) and their needs during the decision-making process. METHOD: Older
outpatients with knee OA and undecided about physician-recommended TKA (N = 26)
were recruited by convenience from two medical centers and one regional hospital
in northern Taiwan. Data were collected in individual interviews using a
semi-structured guide and analyzed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants'
indecision about receiving physician-recommended TKA was due to four major
concerns: treatment-related concerns, physical condition-related concerns,
surgery-related concerns, and postsurgical care concerns. The few participants (n
= 6) who expressed needs during the decision-making process wanted more
information about preparing for surgery, postsurgical care, rehabilitation, and
medicines. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers are challenged to respect the
decision-making process of older adults with OA regarding recommended TKA while
maintaining their quality of life. These adults need appropriate information not
only about the relationship between OA suffering and quality of life, but also
TKA. While these patients are deciding whether to undergo physician-recommended
TKA, they also need information about preparations for surgery, postsurgical
care, rehabilitation, and medicines. Implications for Rehabilitation Total knee
arthroplasty (TKA) can significantly relieve pain and improve function for older
adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA), but many are unwilling to receive the
surgery. Our older adult participants with knee OA ascribed their indecision
about receiving physician-recommended TKA to treatment-related, physical
condition-related, surgery-related, and postsurgical care-related concerns.
Healthcare providers need to provide appropriate information to older adults with
knee OA not only about the relationship between OA suffering and quality of life,
but also about TKA. Healthcare providers should also provide these patients
information about preparing for surgery, postsurgical care, rehabilitation, and
medicines while they are deciding whether to undergo TKA.

Langue : ANGLAIS