Translating Nursing Language Into Lay Language

Abstract

PURPOSE

To explore the meaning that patients undergoing total hip replacement ascribe to the lived experience of retaining and reading their nursing care plan in lay language before and after the surgery.

METHOD

A standardized nursing care plan for patients undergoing total hip replacement was written in lay language and used as a perioperative teaching material. Qualitative data were collected with in-depth interviews and analysed. The sample consisted of 6 patients undergoing total hip replacement.

FINDINGS

The overriding theme, acquired knowledge, was the main meaning that participants ascribed to their experience of the care plan. Other issues or major themes that were of particular importance to participants were that the text of the care plan was understandable and meaningful, the care plan had empowering effects, and revision of the care plan was recommended. In addition, general satisfaction of the healthcare service was a significant part of the participants' experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients can acquire empowering knowledge from a patient version of their nursing care plan. Patient versions of care plans for total knee and hip replacements have been implemented in the hospital.