Learning Needs of Patients and Their Caregivers After Ambulatory Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the learning needs of ambulatory surgery patients and their caregivers.

Design: The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive survey.

Methods: The study was conducted between July 2017 and March 2018 in the outpatient units of a training and research hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample consisted of 117 patients and caregivers dyads. The instruments included a Patient Information Form and the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS).

Findings: The mean total PLNS scores of ambulatory surgery patients were 193.54 ± 35.46 and that of the patient's caregivers was 199.88 ± 31.84. The highest mean PLNS subscale for patients and caregivers was treatment and complications. As the PLNS scores of the patients increase, the scores of the caregivers also increase.

Conclusions: The learning needs of ambulatory surgery patients and their caregivers are high. Patients and caregivers must be well informed and well prepared to cope with possible problems at home.

Keywords: ambulatory surgery; caregivers; day surgery; learning needs; patients.