Effect of Patient Education on Patient Anxiety Level Using “Scale of Patient Education Requirements” in Open Heart Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to research whether education according to individuals' needs has an effect on the anxiety after surgery using a scale of patient education requirements on the patients who will undergo heart surgery. Patients and Methods: The research included voluntary patients who would have an open-heart surgery and are already hospitalized in a heart surgery clinic (n= 114). Data were collected using a demographical data form (state-trait anxiety inventory; STAI) and patient education requirements scale forms, which had been developed by the researchers before surgery and three days later than the surgery by individually meeting the patients. During the hospitalization before surgery, STAI was performed. Further, patient requirements scale was applied. According to patient requirements scale results, the patients were informed at the beginning of hospitalization. On the third day of the surgery, STAI was performed one more time. While evaluating the study data, in addition to descriptive statistical methods, such as frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov distribution test was applied to review normal distribution. Furthermore, paired samples t test was used to compare if parameters had normal distribution for 2 groups, and Wilcoxon sign test was used to compare if parameters had abnormal distribution in the groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of parameters in groups. The results were evaluated at a confidence level of 95%, a significance level of p< 0.05, and an advanced significance level of p< 0.01. Results: The decrease in the state anxiety level after education according to state anxiety level before education was significant (t= 2.003; p= 0.050). Moreover, the decrease in the trait anxiety level after education was also found to be statistically significant (t= 2.984; p= 0.004). Conclusion: According to the findings obtained in this study, it was revealed that informing the patients using patient education requirements scale according to individuals' needs decreased individuals' anxiety levels.