Effect of Patients (Recipients) Educational Strategy on their Health Outcomes Post Liver Transplantation.

Abstract

Background: Providing education for liver transplantation (LT) patients is considered an important role of nurses that helps minimize postoperative complications and improve recovery outcomes. Aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of patients' (recipients) educational strategy on their health outcomes post-liver transplantation. Research design: Quasi quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in the Liver Transplantation Unit of the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of patients who attended the previously mentioned unit for 12 months (n= 50). Tools: Three tools were used; (1) The General Data Questionnaire (2) Recipients' Learning needs Assessment (3) Recipients' health outcomes. Results: Shows the mean score of total information was 13.92 ± 2.30 pre-educational strategy implementation which improved to 41.56 ± 7.26 and 41.24 ± 8.57 immediately post and at discharge respectively, there was an improvement in the total mean score practice 13.90 ± 18.21 from pre implementing educational strategy, to 41.00 ± 6.73 and 49.48 ± 5.87 immediate post implementing educational strategy and at discharge, respectively. Also, there was a statistically significant improvement in patients' health outcomes post-educational strategy implementation at p<0.001. Conclusion: The recipients’ learning needs of information and practice score about post-operative liver transplantation care significantly improved post implementing the educational strategy. Also, their health outcomes as health-related problems, physical examination, and activity of daily living improved with high statistically significance differences post-educational strategies implementation. Recommendations: The need for continuous educational and training programs for patients post-liver transplantation to support them and improve health outcomes. To generalize the findings, similar studies should be replicated on a large sample size in different geographic areas in Egypt.