Does early or late discharge after total knee replacement affect the burden and stress of caregivers?

Since patients may experience difficulties in their daily activities after total knee replacement surgery, the role of the caregiver is important in supporting the daily needs of the patients. Caregivers are involved in the day-to-day care activities of the patient during the recovery process, managing their symptoms and providing support. All these factors can affect the burden and stress of caregivers.

It was aimed to compare the caregiver burden and stress of caregivers of total knee replacement patients who were discharged on the same day of surgery and at a later point. Data were collected from 140 caregivers by using the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale, Zarit Caregiving Burden Scale, and Stress Coping Styles Scale.

There was no significant difference between on the same day of surgery discharge and later discharge in terms of care burden and stress of caregivers (p > 0.05). While the burden of care was mild to moderate (22.15 ± 13.76) on the same day of surgery discharge group, the burden of care in the later discharge group was very low (19.03 ± 13.65).

In order to reduce the care burden and stress levels of caregivers, it is important that nurses determine the problems related to caregiving and provide the necessary support.