Total knee replacement patients' experiences of a brief hope-based in-hospital intervention

Abstract

The issue addressed by this study is the lack of individual in-hospital hope-based brief interventions for TKR patients, based on the integrative hope theory of Scioli et al. (2011). This descriptive-exploratory qualitative case study described the development of I-HOPE based on the theoretical framework of Scioli et al. (2011). It also explored and described I-HOPE in the unique context of TKR through the experiences of the 12 participants. The purposefully selected participants (n=12, male=6, female=6), aged between 50 and 80, were scheduled to undergo TKR surgery by an orthopaedic practice in a private hospital in Pretoria. The intervention took place between 1 August 2014 and 31 December 2014. Data were collected using participant diaries, semistructured interviews, and a mini-focus group interview. The study was able to confirm the application value of Scioli et al.?s (2011) hope theory as well as its compatibility with existing psychological and nursing hope intervention techniques and activities for TKR patients. Based on the study?s interpretive paradigm, the exploratory findings confirmed the acceptability of the intervention in meeting the TKR participants? needs. The study also indicated additional participant needs during TKR not met by I-HOPE in its current form. Lastly, it was able to confirm the value of I-HOPE in conveying fundamental hope to the 12 TKR participants and in providing detailed insight into the lived experiences of these participants.