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Learning Objective 1: understand the effectiveness of information provision in reducing caregivers' distress level.
Learning Objective 2: understand the effectiveness of information provision in improving caregivers' quality of life.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the supportive-educative nursing intervention on psychological distress, perceived health status, quality of life, and the satisfactory of information provision on caregivers of brain injured patients.
Methods:
Quasi-experimental design was used to accomplish this study. The following instruments were used: Barthel Index, Neurobehavioral Rating Scale, Family Needs after Traumatic Brain Injury Questionnaire, Chinese Health Questionnaire and Questions about perceived health status, quality of life, and satisfactory level of information provision. All the measurements were assessed before hospital discharge and 3 months after discharge.
Results:
A total of 41 in the control group and 25 in the intervention group patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. There is no significant difference in patient’s problem behaviors, or in caregiver’s perceived disturbance behaviors between both groups. In the intervention group, the caregivers’ distress level decreased significantly from discharge to 3-month post-discharge (paired t = 2.82, p < 0.05). Caregivers perceived health status, general quality of life increased from discharge to 3-month post-discharge (paired t = -2.47, -2.81, p = 0.002, 0.01, respectively). Compared outcome indicators between these two groups, the results show significant differences in caregiver perceived quality of life (t = -2.47, p = 0.02) and satisfactory levels of information provision (t = -2.60, p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The results support that a comprehensive information provision and support provided to caregivers significantly improve caregivers’ information needs and level of quality of life in general.