Education in people with venous leg ulcers based on a brochure about compression therapy: A quasi‐randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Brochures are a useful supplement to patient education. There is increasing evidence that they are an effective medium to support patient satisfaction, adherence, and empowerment. This study aims to produce reliable data on how much patients with venous leg ulcer (VLU) may profit from a brochure that focuses on VLU and on measures and aims of the related compression therapy. The evaluation took part from October 2018 until March 2019 and included 136 patients with VLU and related compression therapy. They were randomly sorted into a case group and a control group of 68 patients each. The case group received a brochure about venous disease and compression therapy and filled in a questionnaire after reading. The questions ranged from basic knowledge about VLU and compression therapy to aspects of self‐care. The control group answered the same questions without previous reading of the brochure. The results show that in almost every aspect, the patients in the case group were better informed about their diseases, the compression therapy, and how they may support the measures adequately. This study suggests that patients with VLU may profit from a brochure that explains their disease and the related compression therapy. Better knowledge and understanding may strengthen their empowerment and adherence.

Evidence for person-centred care in chronic wound care: A systematic review and recommendations for practice

“…These seventeen studies included a total of 3149 patients and 36 healthcare professionals. Seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs), [51][52][53][54][55][56][57] four pre-test post-test design, [58][59][60][61] and others that included quasi-experimental studies, [62][63][64][65] studies within an RCT, 66 retrospective studies 67 and outcomes monitoring 46 were reported on.…”

“…61,62,67 All three studies demonstrated a significantly higher knowledge level post intervention. In Protz et al's quasi-experimental study of 136 patients, 62 a knowledge gain about compression therapy was reported (p<0.001), as were gains in self-care and vein support activities (p<0.001), and of the effects of compression therapy and the care of compression (p<0.001). Gonzalez demonstrated, in a pre-post study, with 30 participants, a knowledge gain from baseline to post intervention (p=0.002).…”

Resultados de la instauración de un programa de enseñanza y autocuidado en la cicatrización de úlceras venosas crónicas. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva

“…En la actualidad existen datos limitados acerca de la forma en que las intervenciones educativas dirigidas a pacientes con úlceras venosas crónicas pueden mejorar el conocimiento de la enfermedad, prevenir complicaciones e incrementar el apego al tratamiento. Algunas series señalan que los folletos mejoran la observancia del tratamiento, al reducir la tasa de recurrencia hasta nueve veces, lo que representa una mejoría de la calidad de vida 8,20 ; hay evidencia que favorece el uso de videos respecto de los folletos como método educativo y también ha registrado un incremento del cumplimiento y una disminución de las tasas de recurrencia 8,21,22 . En consecuencia, es importante considerar que las úlceras venosas crónicas representan enormes efectos en la calidad de vida y social, pero sobre todo en el aspecto económico, en los pacientes que la padecen y en los sistemas de salud.…”

Experiences of Venous Leg Ulcer persons following an individualised nurse-led education: protocol for a qualitative study using a constructivist grounded theory approach

“…35 Providing written materials such as brochures for patients with VLU could improve their knowledge. 36 Protz et al 36 suggest that written information must be used in an educational setting in which patients have the opportunity to ask questions. When they arise, nurses mostly respond to these questions as they provide most of the wound care interventions.…”