Hui Chen1, Zhuoling Lin1, Jingjing Chen1, Xiaoyan Li1, Lanqin Zhao1, Weirong Chen1, Haotian Lin2. 1. State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 2. State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: 1gddlht@aliyun.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our research was to examine the impact of a patient education program for parents of children with congenital cataract on parental stress, comprehension of disease information and parental satisfaction. METHODS: This prospective study included 177 parents of children with congenital cataract. The children were randomized into the following groups: the health education program with a multifaceted, interactive approach and conventional follow-up. Self-administered questionnaires were used for parental evaluation before and after the education program. The anxiety level, parental satisfaction and comprehension of the information were evaluated at each time point. RESULTS: A multifaceted, interactive approach to education significantly reduced parental levels of anxiety compared with the conventional group (effect sizes: Parenting Stress Index, ƞ2 = 0.285; Ocular Treatment Index, ƞ2 = 0.346). This approach also improved comprehension-memorization scores (effect sizes: ƞ2 = 0.303) and parental satisfaction (p < 0.001). The impact of this new intervention was maintained for 6 and 12 months after the course. CONCLUSION: The interactive, multifaceted education approach could efficiently improve the comprehension of disease-related information and parental satisfaction, resulting in significantly decreased parental anxiety. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This new patient education approach had a significant impact on congenital cataracts and may be generalized to other pediatric diseases.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our research was to examine the impact of a patient education program for parents of children with congenital cataract on parental stress, comprehension of disease information and parental satisfaction. METHODS: This prospective study included 177 parents of children with congenital cataract. The children were randomized into the following groups: the health education program with a multifaceted, interactive approach and conventional follow-up. Self-administered questionnaires were used for parental evaluation before and after the education program. The anxiety level, parental satisfaction and comprehension of the information were evaluated at each time point. RESULTS: A multifaceted, interactive approach to education significantly reduced parental levels of anxiety compared with the conventional group (effect sizes: Parenting Stress Index, ƞ2 = 0.285; Ocular Treatment Index, ƞ2 = 0.346). This approach also improved comprehension-memorization scores (effect sizes: ƞ2 = 0.303) and parental satisfaction (p < 0.001). The impact of this new intervention was maintained for 6 and 12 months after the course. CONCLUSION: The interactive, multifaceted education approach could efficiently improve the comprehension of disease-related information and parental satisfaction, resulting in significantly decreased parental anxiety. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This new patient education approach had a significant impact on congenital cataracts and may be generalized to other pediatric diseases.