Africa

A non-experimental, descriptive and quantitative survey was conducted to explore orthopaedic patients ’ perceptions about the pre-operative information received when undergoing elective surgery in two hospitals in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The findings indicate that most patients perceived the pre-operative information to be useful in their preparation for surgery. Aspects that were not addressed during pre operative information sessions included post-operative nutrition, pain medication, ambulation, deep breathing and coughing exercises. The recommendations include that all these aspects should be addressed in future pre-operative education ses sions. Further research should be conducted for enhancing the pre-operative infor mation provided to patients scheduled to undergo elective orthopaedic surgery. Kev words patients ’ perceptions, pre-operative information, orthopaedic patients C orrespondence addres