Improving Patient Satisfaction after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Nurse Practitioner-Driven Preoperative Education

Total joint arthroplasty is an undisputed option for relieving pain and improving the function of an arthritic joint. The number of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) annually is expected to increase by 600% in the next two decades (Lau, Gandhi, Mahomed, & Mahomed, 2012). Current research shows that while 81-89% of patients who have had a TKA are satisfied postoperatively, there is room to improve patient satisfaction by providing further education preoperatively. While research cannot agree on a single, specific variable that influences patient dissatisfaction, a review of the literature shows that patients repeatedly note their “unmet expectations” as a factor that negatively influences their satisfaction. Research has also shown that the patient satisfaction scale created by Mahomed, Gandhi, Daltroy, and Katz (2011) is a reliable and validated tool for assessing patients’ satisfaction after undergoing a total knee. Nurse practitioners can be utilized preoperatively to provide education to patients regarding realistic expectations and expected outcomes. This study’s aim is to compare the 12-week postoperative satisfaction scores of patients undergoing primary TKA to determine if preoperative teaching by a nurse practitioner improves postoperative satisfaction