The impact of nursing intervention based on teach-back method on self-management behavior and negative emotions of postoperative patients with aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND

Aortic dissection (AD) was a severe cardiovascular condition requiring comprehensive postoperative management. The teach-back method, a patient-centered educational strategy, may enhance patient comprehension and adherence to self-management practices post-surgery, potentially reducing negative emotions and improving outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the teach-back method on self-management behaviors and negative emotions in postoperative AD patients at a tertiary hospital in China.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China. It analyzed 210 postoperative AD patients from March 2021 to March 2023, divided evenly into a routine nursing group and a teach-back method group. Various assessments, including the Health Education Knowledge Acquisition Survey, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) and Depression (HAMD) Scales, Self Care Level Scale (ESCA), and WHO Quality of Life Inventory (WHOQOL-BREF), were performed pre- and post-intervention. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests or chi-square tests, with a significance level of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Patients in the teach-back group showed higher mastery of health education knowledge (96.19% vs. 88.57%; χ 2 = 4.33, P = 0.037) and significant reduction in anxiety levels [HAMA: 11.85 ± 4.00 [11.08, 12.62] vs. 13.15 ± 4.92 [12.20, 14.10]; t = 2.097, P = 0.037]. Self-management scores improved significantly in knowledge level and self-protective skills, with mean scores higher in the teach-back group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in pain scores or postoperative complications between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The teach-back method significantly enhances knowledge acquisition and anxiety reduction in postoperative AD patients, showing potential as a beneficial adjunct to routine nursing care.