Learning Objective #1: identify relationship between pre-operative education and post-operative functional status in hip replacement patients.

Learning Objective #2: identify relationship between pre-operative education and post-operative length of stay in hip replacement patients.

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Hip replacement is a major surgery in orthopedic treatment. Cost containment has shortened its post-operative length of stay. Efficient self-care knowledge is an important factor for the success of its post-operative care. Studies had presented results on the influence of pre-operative education on post-operative functional status and length of hospitalization in hip replacement patients. However, no literature provided an inclusive integrative result related to this topic. The purpose of this study was to apply meta-analysis technique to integrate research findings on the relationship between pre-operative education and post-operative functional status, as well as post-operative length of stay, in hip replacement patients. Random effect models were used to calculate combined effect sizes. Six Chinese and English databases were used to systematically locate both published and unpublished literature related to pre-operative education in hip replacement population. Search period was up to year 2007. English databases used were MEDLINE and CINAHL. Chinese databases used were CEPS, Sticenet Chinese database, as well as the Chinese Journal Database and the Thesis/Dissertation Database developed by the National Library in Taiwan. Key words used for literature search were ‘hip replacement', ‘education', ‘functional status', and ‘pre-operative'. Nine experimental studies with 597 samples provided data for the meta-analysis. Inconsistent study results were found on the effect of pre-operative education on post-operative functional status. The combined effect based on two studies was not significant (Z=1.00, 95% CI= -.51-1.58, p=.32). Eight studies provided data for meta-analysis for the effect of pre-operative education on length of post-operative stay. Results among these studies were also inconsistent. The combined effect was not significant (Z=-1.57, 95% CI= -.78-.09, p=.12). Results of this meta-analysis suggested more studies to be conducted in the future to explore the true effect of pre-operative education on the outcomes of hip replacement patients.