The effects of education given by a nurse to prevent deep vein thrombosis of the knowledge level and self-care applications of patients

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a problem having deadly complications which can be avoided. The research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of training provided by the nurse on patients' realisation of applications aiming to prevent DVT and on their knowledge about DVT. The trial group was composed by 40 patients taking treatment at Karadeniz Technical University Medicine Faculty Farabi Hospital General Surgery, Urology and at Thoracic Surgery Clinics. As data collection tools; Autar Deep Vein Thrombosis Risk Identification Scale, questionnaire for getting to know patient characteristics, deep vein thrombosis information defining form, self care applications specification form relating to deep vein thrombosis information and satisfication form for deep vein thrombosis education have been used. Each patient was given a training before getting in surgery by using the booklet prepared by the researcher. The level of information patients had about DVT was determined before and after the training. In addition, the situation of patients as to their applying what are necessary for preventing the formation of DVT was determined after the surgery. Data collected was evaluated in percentages by using Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Test, Kruskall Wallis Varience analysis, the importance of difference between two averages, and with one way variation anaylsis. It was determined that 5.0% of patients knew about DVT before getting training and 95.0% knew about it after getting training. It was found out that the DVT average information score of patients before the training was 0.1±0.5 (min:0, max:3) from out of 54, and the average information score after getting training was 20.2±5.7 (min:9, max:33). It was seen that there was a meaningful statistical difference between DVT average information scores of patients before and after getting training (p<0.05). Self care application scoring averages of patients was found to be 8.8±2.3 (min:3, max:12) from out of 13. All of the patients showed the nurse as the source of information obtained about DVT and they recommended that the trainings should also be given to other patients. This research has revealed positive results of patient attendance of their own care that they educated with an effective method. Additionally, this study has introduced a new facility to scientific information.