[The effectiveness of multimedia nursing education on reducing illness-related anxiety and uncertainty in myocardial infarction patients after percutaneous coronary intervention]

Abstract

Background: Properly educating myocardial infarction (MI) patients in the extremely busy cardiac care unit (CCU) work environment is difficult for CCU nurses.

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of multimedia nursing education in reducing illness-related anxiety and uncertainty in MI patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with judgment sampling was designed and performed at a medical center in South Taiwan. The control group (n = 36) received written nursing education material and the experimental group (n = 40) received multimedia nursing education. Participant illness-related anxiety and uncertainty was measured at four specific periods, namely (1) at admission to the CCU, (2) immediately after completing the nursing education interventions, (3) upon transfer to the general ward, and 4) at discharge. Measurement tools included Mishel's uncertainty in illness scale (MUIS), the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and noninvasive physiological monitoring instruments.

Results: Results showed that both interventions lowered anxiety ÷ uncertainty in participants with moderate to severe levels (experimental group - anxiety: t₃₉ = -6.615, p < .001 and uncertainty: t₃₉ = -8.317, p < .001; control group - anxiety: t₃₅ = -4.767, p < .001 and uncertainty: t₃₅ = -9.739, p < .001). The experimental group achieved significantly greater reductions than the control group in terms of anxiety and uncertainty in each of the four measurement periods.

Conclusions / implications for practice: Based on the evidence, both nursing education formats are valid for patient education and may be chosen based on CCU clinical conditions.