Effect of Applying an Educational Program on Knowledge and Self-Care Activities of Patients Undergoing Lumbar Discectomy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

3 Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract

Today, lumbar herniation discs, are a prevalent problem with a sign of lumbar and foot pain in
society. Previous studies show that patient education and follow-ups are important, therefore, this
study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying an educational program for Patients Undergoing
Lumbar Discectomy on Knowledge and Self-Care Activities. Design: A quasi-experimental design
was used to conduct this study. Subjects: A convenience sample of 50 adult patients admitted to the
Neurosurgery Department, Alexandria Main University Hospital, diagnosed with lumbar disc
prolapse, and scheduled for disc surgery. Tools: Four tools were used in the study. Tool I: Patients'
assessment, Tool II: knowledge assessment questionnaire, Tool III: Barthel Index of Activities of
daily living and Tool IV: Visual Analogue Pain Scale. Results: there were statistically significant
changes in knowledge percent scores were detected in the study group post implementation of the
educational program than pre. Additionally, the percentages of patients ’complains were decreased
among the study group post application of the educational program and all the study group became
independent post program implementation. Conclusion: Providing an educational program for such
group of patients is effective to improve their knowledge and self-care activities. The study group
had marked improvement in a satisfactory level of knowledge post-program implementation
compared to the control group. Recommendation: The developed booklet with colored pictures
which involving instructions about self-care activities must be distributed to each patient,
undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery in the neurosurgery department and outpatient clinics.
Patient’s family member should be taught postoperatively about the precautions and exercises to
improve patient outcomes and self-care activities. As well as replication of the study on large
probability sample is recommended.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2022
Pages 1334-1350

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