A study conducted on patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty indicated that participants who were offered preadmission education for their procedure had statistically better outcomes than patients who had not attended an educational class. The study further focused on patients' confidence in their ability to take control of their health situations as well as the effect of encouragement and motivation to provide active involvement. Two surveys, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey and the Multi Dimensional Health Locus of Control, were used to assess patients' innate desires to be involved in their care and if they felt they could render any control themselves on their health. The study showed a statistically significant better outcome when patients received education prior to their procedure. When patients were encouraged and motivated to participate and take control of their rehabilitation after knee surgery, the outcomes were better than with education alone. It is a worthy endeavor therefore for education to be provided before total knee arthroplasty and to identify those patients who need additional encouragement to gain confidence in their abilities in order to positively affect their outcomes. Providing healthcare professionals information about patients' innate traits regarding their desire or self-confidence to engage in their care could also be useful to allow caretakers to work with patients in the most advantageous manner to achieve better outcomes. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]