Learning Needs of Patients and Their Caregivers After Ambulatory Surgery
Citation
Guven, B., Ibrahimoglu, O., & Elbuken, B. (2020). Learning needs of patients and their caregivers after ambulatory surgery. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 35(3), 283-287. doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2019.10.012Abstract
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.