Application of integrated in-hospital and discharge care model based on health empowerment theory in patients with knee osteoarthritis after intra-articular injection

Objective To investigate the effect of integrated in-hospital and discharge care model based on the health empowerment theory in patients with knee osteoarthritis after intra-articular injection. Methods A total of 160 patients undergoing knee joint puncture treatment were selected as the study objects, and were divided into control group (80 cases) and observation group (80 cases) according to random number table method. The control group received traditional nursing care, while the observation group received an integrated in-hospital and discharge care model based on the health empowerment theory in addition to the traditional care. The health empowerment level (Chronic Disease Health Empowerment Scale for the Elderly), self-care ability Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) Scale and knee pain severity Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm score were compared between the two groups. The incidence of complications after treatment was compared between the two groups. Results The scores for the dimensions of support acquisition, responsibility belief, participation in treatment, knowledge enhancement as well as self-reconstruction and the total score of the health empowerment scale were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, VAS scores in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05); the Lysholm scores in two groups were significantly higher than before treatment, and the observation group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The self-care ability scores after 1 course, 2 and 3 courses of treatment were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The overall incidence of complications after treatment was significantly lower in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The integrated in-hospital and discharge care model based on the health empowerment theory can improve patients' health empowerment levels and self-care abilities, enhance knee function, relieve knee pain, and decrease the incidence of complications after treatment.