Patients' knowledge of and satisfaction with the Femoral Popliteal Bypass Patient Education Program

• Main Author: Pratt, Marion E., 1940-
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: Patient education > Newfoundland and Labrador; Arterial grafts > Study and teaching > Newfoundland and Labrador; Peripheral vascular diseases > Study and teaching > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland; Canada; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses2/id/257421

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1994. Education Bibliography: leaves 73-77. The purpose of this study was to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a Femoral Popliteal Bypass Patient Education Program. The Program, as well as pre-test, post-test and satisfaction questionnaires were developed. Validation and reliability were established by circulating the Program and measuring instruments to a group of experts for their review and critique. In addition, an initial pilot of the program was conducted involving two patients who were not included in the study. Revisions were made based on comments and problems encountered when piloting the program and measuring instruments. -- The setting for this study, St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, and the fact that the independent variable, the Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery Patient Education Program, is only applicable to patients having this particular procedure performed, dictated the sample population. The convenience sample was composed of fifteen (15) mentally competent, patients entering St. Clare's Mercy Hospital for elective femoral popliteal bypass surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. -- Data were obtained by administering a pre- and post-test questionnaire to the experimental and control groups. Both groups were administered the pre-test on admission to the hospital. The experimental group then participated in the Femoral Popliteal Bypass Patient Education Program, whereas the control group did not. The post-test was administered to both groups prior to discharge from hospital. The satisfaction questionnaire was given to the experimental group only upon discharge. Frequency tables were used to describe differences within the sample population with reference to gender, education, previous hospitalization, smoking habits and exercise patterns. A one-way analysis of variance was the statistical method chosen to determine the differences between the experimental and control group responses on the pre- and post-test questionnaires. The same method was utilized to determine the impact of the variables of age, education, smoking, level of exercise, gender and previous hospitalization had on pre- and post-test results of the sample population. Descriptive statistics were used to describe findings of the satisfaction questionnaire. Analysis of the data as well as the knowledge gained from the literature review and input from the assigned nurse instructor for the program formed the basis for the conclusions. The subsequent recommendations were aimed at enhancing patient education services at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital. -- Data analysis indicated two significant areas of patient knowledge gain within the experimental group, namely, preparation for discharge and within the educational grouping of no schooling to grade seven. Data analysis did identify slight knowledge gain for the control group but not at a significant level. The satisfaction questionnaire responses indicated the experimental group was very pleased with the program and that they perceived it as being very beneficial to them. However, they would like to see more detailed information on nutrition, diet, lifestyle, hereditary factors, and discharge instructions. -- This study identified definite benefits in having a well planned and organized patient education program. Further research would be required to determine if participants actually changed their behavior and lifestyle over the longer term. -- Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study, literature review and input from the instructor for the program and staff of St. Clare's Mercy Hospital involved with this program. Recommendations include: having nursing staff dedicated to the patient teaching function; having sufficient resources available to implement patient education programs based on patient need; expanding the program to include additional relevant information, and conducting further research into the longer term evaluation of the program's effectiveness.