Effectiveness of a patient education intervention in enhancing the self-efficacy of hospitalized patients to recognize and report acute deteriorating conditions

Abstract

Objective: To develop and pilot test the effectiveness of a patient education intervention in enhancing the self-efficacy of hospitalized patients to recognize and report symptoms of acute deteriorating conditions.

Method: Using cluster randomization, acute care general wards were randomized to the experimental and control groups. 34 patients in the experimental group received a 30-minute patient education intervention on Alert Worsening conditions And Report Early (AWARE) while 33 patients in the control group received the routine care only. Levels of self-efficacy to recognize and report symptoms were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: The level of self-efficacy reported by the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The AWARE intervention was effective in enhancing the self-efficacy of hospitalized patients to recognize and report acute deteriorating conditions.

Practical implications: Patient engagement through patient education could be included in the rapid response system which aims to reduce hospital mortality and cardiac arrest rates in the general wards.

Keywords: Deterioration; Patient education; Recognize and report symptoms.