Joint replacement and patient education.

To improve patient service and in an attempt to enhance the outcome of joint replacement an information booklet has been produced and supplied to all patients admitted for this procedure at Harlow Wood hospital. A postal questionnaire was sent to groups of patients before and after the introduction of the booklets, three months after operation. The level of patient satisfaction with the information given improved from 54% to 82%. A significant improvement was noted in the patient's understanding of the procedure and management of their joint replacement. However, only 53% of patients fully understood the possible complications of the procedure.