Nurses’ Practice of Preoperative Patient Education in Cyprus

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the status of nurses’ practice of preoperative patient education in surgical clinics. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted which consisted of 80 nurses employed in surgical clinics of a state hospital and a university hospital in Nicosia. Data were collected with a questionnaire prepared based on a literature review and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study was conducted on the nurses, out of whom 70% had a bachelor’s degree, 88.8% provided patients with teaching before the operation, 62.5% offered patients with this education at the time of hospitalization for surgery and 88.7% of those who offered education preferred verbal explanation and 67.6% used print training materials. It was determined that 72.5% included the patient’s family and relatives to the education process, 71.2% considered cultural characteristics and habits while offering education to the patient and patient’s family, 62.5% were able to determine the suitable time and duration while offering education to the patient, 72.5% paid attention to not use medical terms in education and 81.2% allowed the patient and patient’s family to ask questions. About 82.5% of the nurses provided patients with information about tests and examinations, 88.8% intestines and skin preparation, 83.8% postoperative pain and management, 73.8% deep breathing, cough extremity and rotation exercises. Conclusion: It was determined that the nurses mostly provided teaching before the operation but there were some deficiencies in the realization of education. It is recommended to develop education materials/brochures and suitable tools and equipment for surgical nurses to offer comprehensive and effective preoperative education.