In one qualitative study, patients who were receiving total hip or knee replacement were interviewed before their operation, and afterwards at 2 to 4 weeks, at 6 months and at 12 months.

Patients explained to us that delays to joint replacement in the NHS are common. This has implications for well-being. 

Patients rely on a variety of support networks when going through surgery. Patients’ hopes before joint replacement are often complicated and may be influenced by previous personal experience, experiences of others, and information provided by the hospital.

In a second study, we conducted qualitative interviews within the APEX study cohort, and explored how people’s views of pain medication change as they undergo joint replacement. We also found that patients and healthcare professionals recognised the importance of participating in randomised controlled trials.

Publications can be found here: 

Conceptualising time before surgery: the experience of patients waiting for hip replacement Social Science and Medicine, 2014; 116: 126-133.

Patients’ journeys through total joint replacement: patterns of medication use Musculoskeletal Care, 2014; 12(2); 92-102

Understanding involvement in surgical orthopaedic randomized controlled trials: a qualitative study of patient and health professional views and experiences  International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing, 2016; 20:3–12