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. © 2019 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses