Paper
Saturday, 22 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Clinical Strategies and Techniques
Effects of an Innovative Counseling Program on a New Medication Therapy Among Patients Following Cardiac Surgery
Yulia Nigel, RN, BA, Cardio-thoracic surgery, Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel, Galit Kaufman, RN, MA, Cardio-thoracic surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel, Ateret Malachy, MA, Cardio-thoracic surgery department, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel, and Hana Kerzman, RN, PhD, Nursing Division, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Learning Objective #1: review the process of planned intervention program starting at assessing patient needs ending at the evaluation phase
Learning Objective #2: review the benefit of various counseling methods versus individual counseling
Introduction: Following cardiac surgery, patients receive a variety of new medication therapies. The approach commonly adopted in nursing to increase knowledge involves patient  impowerment through counseling, which improves compliance with medication treatment.

Aims: To compare patients’ knowledge regarding new medication therapy and satisfaction from information received through an innovative group intervention or individual counseling following cardiac surgery on the day of discharge and two weeks later.

Method: A prospective intervention study with follow up of patients discharged after cardiac surgery in a major medical center in Israel. Patients’ level of knowledge was measured with a special questionnaire constructed by the researchers. Satisfaction with medication counseling was measured with the SIMS questionnaire.

Procedure: The control group of 58 patients received individual counseling according to standard department policy, whereas the intervention group of 51 patients received structured group counseling. The structured program included group counseling, slides, information sheets and a special leaflet distributed on the day of discharge.

Results: the study indicated higher levels of knowledge among patients in the intervention group than among patients in the control group at two points in time: on the day of discharge (t=4.770; p<0.001) and two weeks later (t-3.095, p<0.01). Greater satisfaction with the information was found among patients who experienced the innovative intervention group counseling than among patients who received standard counseling (t-4.003, p<0.001). Increased awareness of drug side effects and required lifestyle changes (e.g., follow-up tests, reduced alcohol consumption) was demonstrated.Conclusions: Counseling using several methods, such as participation in group counseling, viewing of slides and receipt of written information, contributed to higher levels of patient knowledge than did traditional individual counseling. The innovative intervention program also increased satisfaction with counseling.

See more of Clinical Strategies and Techniques
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)