Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of written and verbal discharge training given to patients who underwent cardiac surgery.
Design and Methods: It was conducted on 180 patients between November 2011 and June 2012. The patients were divided into two groups. The first 90 patients were given verbal discharge training, whereas the others were provided with both written and verbal trainings. Using pretest and posttest questionnaires, knowledge levels of the patients were evaluated before training and 1 month after discharge. Patients given verbal discharge training had a success rate of 10.2% pretest, 48.1% posttest, whereas the success rate of patients who received both written and verbal discharge training was 6.35% pretest, 90.7% posttest.
Findings: The findings show that both written and verbal discharge training increased the knowledge levels.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The findings imply that written-verbal discharge training may help patients to solve the problems after discharge, which may reduce the number of patients presenting at hospital and, in turn, related healthcare costs.