Table 1: Summary of responses to the survey, based on nominal ranking of importance of discharge information options (rangel-3). Data is expressed for each survey item as the frequency (%) of responses in category of importance.

Nature of discharge information	Frequency of responses and proportion in each category. N (%)			Mean rank across categories
	Essential (3)	Useful (2)	Not Needed (1)
Presence of staples or stitches in the incision and whether these are to be removed by the GP and on what date	54 (88.5)	6 (9.8)	1 (1.6)	2.9
Summary of the surgical procedure undertaken, including any surgical or postoperative complications and their management	54 (87.1)	8 (12.9)	0 (0)	2.9
Allergies noted	49 (81.7)	11 (18.3)	0 (0)	2.8
Medications prescribed in hospital	50 (80.6)	12 (19.4)	0 (0)	2.8
Mobility and physical activity restrictions and plan (e.g. weight bearing, ambulation guidelines and restrictions)	47 (75.8)	14 (22.6)	1 (1.6)	2.7
Recommended date for GP follow-up appointment post discharge e.g. “Please arrange GP follow-up appointment for 1 week after discharge”	41 (67.2)	19 (31.1)	1 (1.6)	2.7
Foreseeable problems after surgery, e.g. related to pre-surgical status or any peri- or post-operative complications identified	35 (57.4)	25 (41.0)	1 (1.6)	2.6
Date of hospital follow-up appointment	35 (57.4)	26 (42.6)	0 (0)	2.6
Post-operative physiotherapy treatment arrangements	23 (37.1)	37 (59.7)	2 (3.2)	2.3
Post-operative occupational therapy arrangements, such as assisted personal care or home assistance	24 (38.7)	34 (58.8)	4 (6.5)	2.3
Peri-prosthetic infection control guidelines outlined	18 (30.5)	28 (47.5)	13 (22.0)	2.1
Incision care guidelines outlined	16 (26.7)	32 (53.3)	12 (20.0)	2.1
DVT/VTE^ prophylaxis guidelines outlined	15 (25.0)	34 (56.7)	11 (18.3)	2.1
Occupational therapy equipment provided by the hospital	12 (19.4)	41 (66.1)	9 (14.5)	2.0
Brand and type of prosthesis used	9 (14.8)	34 (55.7)	18 (29.5)	1.8

^ deep vein thrombosis / venous thrombo-embolism