Effect of compliance to the discharge instructions among patients with internal fixation for hip fracture

Abstract

Background and objective: Internal fixation is recommended when the need is urgent for preserving the hip joint rather than replacing it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of complying with an educational intervention (booklet) and the discharge instructions on the outcomes of patients with internal fixation for hip fracture.

Methods: Research hypothesis: Strength, hip range of motion, walking ability, managing stairs, and total indoor and outdoor activities will be better among the educational intervention group than the control group. Quasi-experimental (study/control) design was utilized to conduct this research, the intervention included training patients on postoperative exercises, showing them videos on these exercises and providing them with a written simplified, photo illustrated Arabic booklet containing the discharge instructions. Setting: The study was conducted in the orthopedic department and orthopedic outpatient clinic. Sample: Consisted of 60 adult male (63.3%) and female (36.7%) patients who underwent internal fixation for hip fracture who were randomly included as an intervention (n = 30) or control group (n = 30). Tools: A Structured patient interview questionnaire sheet was utilized for data collection with the following three parts (biosociodemographic data, compliance behavior index and functional capability index).

Results: Of the intervention group participants (83.3%) were compliant while nearly all of the control group subjects were non-compliant (96.7%) at 3 months and a highly statistically significant difference was found between compliance behavior and patient's functional capability.

Conclusion: Providing structured discharge guidelines for patients who underwent internal fixation for hip fracture was effective in improving outcomes of patients than the standard hospital instructions. Recommendations: Publication of the booklet and dissemination among patients with internal fixation for hip fracture on a larger probability sample is recommended.