This study aims to determine the effect of counseling on quality of life and self-care agency for patients who are scheduled for TKR.

This is a quantitative study and has a quasi-experimental design with a control group. The sample of the study consisted of 79 patients including intervention (n=39) and control (n=40). The data are collected by the face-to-face interview method using Patient Identification Form, Quality of Life Scale, and Self-Care Agency Scale before surgery, and 6-8th weeks after discharge. Face-to-face and telephone counseling were applied to individuals in the intervention group. The x2, t-test, one-factor variance analysis, and two-factor variance analysis were used in the analysis of the data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• undergoing TKA for the first time, being scheduled to have unilateral TKA, having surgery for osteoarthritis, having no postoperative complications, fulfilment of discharge criteria after surgery, being aged 18 years or older, being conscious, orientation to place and time, having no hearing or speech problems, ability to understand and speak Turkish, being at least literate, not being diagnosed with any psychiatric diseases and not having a history of cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnoses of neurological (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) and psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia) likely to affect cognitive functions, first accepting to participate in the study and then dropping out of the study, development of complications during follow-up (e.g. infection), unavailability when called and lost to follow-up.