Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reduce or eliminate pain while enabling full advantage and function of daily living activities after hospital discharge. Readiness for discharge depends largely on prior healthcare team preparations for both patients and their families. Design/methodology/approach This integrative review was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl method, and synthesized published research concerning patients’ readiness for discharge, particularly those who had undergone total hip replacement (THR) surgery. Findings Results were categorized into five main themes as physiological experiences, psychological experiences, coping ability, needs from the healthcare team, and family support influential to the readiness of THR patients for discharge. Originality/value The preparation for discharge of THR patients should be fully engaged and addressed. Moreover, healthcare professionals should provide care for patients at both the pre- and post-operation phases as well as during the transitional phase from hospital to home.

Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) are a crucial component of primary health care in Thailand. They have applied their role in collaboration with the nation’s public health officials at primary and community hospitals since 1978. The outbreak of the 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first recorded in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019, has infected millions of people in almost every country in the world, leading to illness, hospitalization and, in many cases, untimely death. During this time global healthcare systems have been under enormous strain to contain the virus outbreak and treat sick people. COVID-19 first came to the attention of Thailand as a highly infectious disease on 26 February 2020, but the nation has successfully responded to the pandemic by focusing effort and resources on primary healthcare. VHVs have contributed significantly in their central role in preventing and controlling the virus in communities around the country.

The disruption caused by the current Covid-19 pandemic has caused various types of impacts on the multiple dimensions of society and human life. These have required a significant adjustment to normal life, and we have now settled into a ‘new normal’ life which includes social distancing, wearing face masks, changes to working and learning lifestyles, and financial effects while trying to maintain a stable and safe existence during this highly disruptive period. Engagement in living means that individuals are expected to agree when to seek any care or support, dispensed by planners and providers, to meet their healthcare management needs.