National survey of occupational advice for lower limb arthroplasty patients

B. Tsang*, D. McDonald, I. McNamara, L. Kottam, A. Rangan, P. Baker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background

Little is known what advice or support patients are given about return to work (RTW) after hip or knee replacement surgery.

Aims

This study aims to understand the delivery, timing and content of ‘RTW’ advice currently delivered by surgical teams offering hip and knee replacements across the UK.

Methods

National online survey exploring five specific areas relating to ‘RTW’ advice: (i) timings of interactions between hospital orthopaedic teams and patients prior to surgery, (ii) routine delivery of ‘RTW’ advice, (iii) methods used to deliver ‘RTW’ advice, (iv) confidence delivering advice and (v) need for an occupational ‘RTW’ advice intervention.

Results

A total of 152 participants including surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses from 59 different public and private health providers responded. Only 20% (n = 30) of respondents reported that working patients were identified as a specific subgroup in need of additional support. Overall, 62% (n = 92) stated that they did not routinely offer ‘RTW’ advice. When given, ‘RTW’ advice was almost always verbal, generic advice using blanket timescales and based on the respondent’s anecdotal experience rather than the patients individualized needs. Overall, 116 (78%) felt an occupational advice intervention was needed.

Conclusions

This national survey demonstrated wide variation in the timing, content and delivery of information and advice for patients in work and intending to RTW after hip and knee replacement surgery. Current RTW advice provided to hip and knee replacement patients is inadequate.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberkqaa006
Pages (from-to)123-126
Number of pages4
JournalOccupational Medicine
Volume70
Issue number2
Early online date3 Feb 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2020

Keywords

  • arthroplasty
  • hip
  • knee
  • occupation
  • rehabiliation
  • work

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'National survey of occupational advice for lower limb arthroplasty patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this