Patient views on long-term follow-up of hip replacement
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient views on long-term follow-up of a hip replacement
IRAS ID
251816
Contact name
Lindsay K. Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Weston Area Health NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
#4395, NBT L&R
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 9 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
What are the patient views on long-term follow up after a total hip replacement?
When a patient receives a hip replacement, they are often told that it will last for 10 years or longer. Some patients are offered a periodic check-up (referred to as ‘follow-up’) around this time and thereafter, and others are not. The check-up includes an x-ray and a questionnaire, and from this, the medical team can assess if the hip replacement is at risk of failure.
Although follow-up is recommended by major orthopaedic associations, many hospitals have ceased to offer this service. We are conducting research to find out if follow-up is of benefit to the patient and to the NHS, and this study is designed to explore patient views on the provision of long-term follow-up of a hip replacement. Any adult person with a hip replacement or awaiting a hip replacement will be eligible, and potential participants will be invited to attend one of two focus groups which will be arranged at two different hospital locations, one city-based and one more rurally situated. Information will be provided to participants in advance of the focus group and informed consent will be obtained on attendance. All travel costs incurred by participants will be reimbursed.
The research will be conducted through stimulation of discussion within the group using pre-designed questions, after an explanation has been given about the need for confidentiality. The discussion will be digitally recorded and subsequently converted to a transcript for analysis by the team conducting the research. Thematic analysis will be applied to the data to identify themes and sub-themes, and the knowledge generated will be used to contribute to the evidence and discussions on future long-term follow-up after a total hip replacement.Summary of Results
In this small study of patient views on long-term follow-up after hip replacement, their preferences included periodic completion of questionnaires and the opportunity for a local x-ray. They did not feel the need to go back to the main hospital and were comfortable with the idea of taking the initiative if they started to experience changes. But they wanted to be sure that they could access the orthopaedic service because they were not confident that the problems would be adequately diagnosed by primary care or interface services.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
18/WA/0360
Date of REC Opinion
5 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion