[Patient information before hip replacement: positive effects of group-session patient education prior to total hip replacement].

Comprehensive information before total hip replacement (THR) allows patients to better understand the benefits and risks of THR. Unfortunately there is an important gap between what surgeons say and what patient understand. Preoperative group sessions were introduced in order to improve patient information before THR. Between 2003 and 2005, 56% (n = 180) of all THR patients participated to this session. 74% of patients reported that the session was reassuring, 96% found that their questions had been answered, and 100% would recommend this seminar to others. Patients were mostly concerned about the prosthesis, the recovery period and the anaesthesia. In conclusion, such a patient-centered approach efficiently complements the usual medical interview.