The effect of patient education and text message reminders on bowel readiness and anxiety level before colonoscopy

Evaluating the effects of pre-colonoscopy patient education and technological information methods on clinical outcomes is becoming increasingly important in modern healthcare. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of face-to-face education and text message reminders on bowel preparation level, anxiety level and vital signs in individuals undergoing colonoscopy. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample of the study consisted of 84 individuals who would undergo colonoscopy procedure in the endoscopy unit of Amasya Merzifon Kara Mustafa Pasha State Hospital and who met the inclusion criteria. In addition to the standard colonoscopy preparation procedure of the hospital, individuals in the training group were trained with one-to-one training technique using the "Colonoscopy Patient Preparation Guide" prepared by the researcher. Starting three days before the procedure, individuals in the text message reminder group were sent regular text messages on the automatic message sending program for appointment information, nutrition, fluid consumption, and medications that should be administered before the procedure until the day of the procedure. Individuals in the control group received the standard training applied in the hospital. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Beck Anxiety Scale, Boston Bowel Readiness Scale and Vital Signs Form. The mean age of the participants was 52,3 ± 10,1 years, 58,3% were female, 63,1% were primary school graduates and 48,8% had at least one chronic disease. The mean Boston Bowel Readiness Scale score was 7,71 ± 0,87 in the education group, 7,18 ± 1,14 in the SMS group, and 5,25 ± 1,31 in the control group; the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0,05). Beck Anxiety Scale score was 10,04 ± 3,19 in the training group, 12,43 ± 3,57 in the text message reminders group and 17,11 ± 4,03 in the control group. Anxiety levels were found to be significantly lower in the education and text message reminders groups compared to the control group (p<0,05). There was no significant difference between the groups in pulse rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation values measured during the procedure (p>0,05). In this study, it was determined that both detailed face-to-face education and text message reminders were effective in reducing anxiety levels and improving the quality of bowel preparation of individuals before colonoscopy; however, they did not have a direct significant effect on vital signs. These findings suggest that the use of digital technologies and detailed education in clinical practice may be beneficial for patient preparation.