Education project to improve venous stasis self-management knowledge.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' knowledge of chronic venous disease, venous ulcer occurrence and recurrence, and self-care at baseline, immediately following, 2, and 9 weeks after an educational intervention.

SUBJECTS AND

SETTING

The study sample comprised 30 patients diagnosed with venous ulcers. The research setting was an outpatient facility specializing in wound care located in South Florida; the educational intervention occurred in subjects' homes.

DESIGN

Single group before and after intervention research design.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with a first-time venous ulcer were assessed regarding their disease and self-care knowledge. Assessments were completed at baseline, immediately following an educational intervention, and during 2- and 9-week follow-up home visits. In addition to evaluating patient knowledge, wound healing (evaluated by the treating nurse or reported by the patient) was assessed at 2- and 9-week follow-up and wound recurrence was assessed at 9-week follow-up.

RESULTS

The educational intervention resulted in a statistically significant increase in knowledge scores (P = .002). This change persisted when patients were evaluated during 2- and 9-week follow-up visits (P = .003). In addition, half of patients who completed the educational intervention remained free of recurrence when evaluated at 9 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that patient education related to venous ulcers improves knowledge regarding the disease process and self-care and reduces recurrence when measured at 9 weeks postintervention.