Learning needs of patients after obesity surgery

The purpose of this study is to determine the learning needs of patients following bariatric surgery. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional survey method. The study was completed with 45 patients who underwent bariatric surgery in two private hospitals located in Denizli and Istanbul. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys using the "Descriptive Characteristics Form," which includes sociodemographic features, and the "Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS)." The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The learning needs of patients after bariatric surgery were found to vary according to certain demographic factors. According to the findings, the mean PLNS score was 206.95±27.84. Educational level, place of residence, the presence of a caregiver, and whether the caregiver received discharge education significantly affected learning needs (p<0.05). Patients with a university degree had significantly lower mean scores in the subscales of medication, community and follow-up, and feelings related to the condition compared to other educational levels (p<0.05). Patients living in a district had significantly higher scores in the PLNS and the subscales of daily living activities, community and follow-up, feelings related to the condition, and improving quality of life (p<0.05). It was found that patients who had a caregiver at home had significantly higher mean scores in the medication subscale, and those whose caregivers received discharge education had significantly higher mean scores in the skin care subscale (p<0.05). In conclusion, the learning needs of patients after bariatric surgery persist, and the patient education provided by nurses is considered crucial for addressing these needs.