A community dweller’s perspective of a day shoulder arthroplasty surgery.
Abstract
The following study was a qualitative interpretive descriptive study aimed at investigating immediate barriers or difficulties in the lives of the community dwellers as well as modifications occurring in the daily routine activities shortly after the out-patient total shoulder arthroplasty procedure. The personal and surgical factors affecting at-home recovery were focussed alongside exploring the coping mechanisms and adaptations in everyday day life. The study mainly focused on the initial three weeks' duration after the discharge. The study followed the constructivist paradigm, adopting the interpretive description methodology. A total of 19 subjects who underwent same/ single day discharge total shoulder arthroplasty were targeted for recruitment at the Hand & Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospital by purposeful sampling method. The participants were interviewed either in person or over the telephone. Data was analyzed by Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis Approach. The identified themes shed light upon the physical, emotional, and environmental impacts caused by a day surgery. These are further influenced by demographic characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, and type of occupation as well as surgery-related factors like reason for surgery, availability of supports, surgical literacy, and patient and caregiver education. The adaptations for basic everyday tasks were dependent upon the living conditions post-operatively. The importance of social and community supports as well as patient and caregiver education especially after a day surgery were highlighted. Preparedness for surgical procedures yield higher satisfaction and better patient experience was a noble finding.