Application of Skinner teaching theory in health education of cancer patients with PICC placements

Abstract

Objective To explore the application effects of Skinner process teaching and its reinforcement theory in health education of cancer patients with PICC placements so as to improve the quality of nursing. Methods We recruited patients with PICC placements for the first time in oncology department of a class Ⅲ grade I hospital in Cangzhou from January 2015 to June 2015. They were randomly divided into control group (84 cases, routine health education) and experimental group (81 cases, health education applying Skinner process teaching and its reinforcement theory). The intervention was carried out for 4 chemotherapy cycles. We compared the situation of PICC related complications and maintenance of catheters after intervention. Results There were 8 cases (9.88%) with catheter related complications in experimental group after intervention which was less than that in control group with a significant difference (P<0.01). The number of patients and the frequency in delayed maintenance of catheters in experimental group were less than those in control with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusions The application of Skinner process teaching and its reinforcement theory in health education of cancer patients with PICC placements is beneficial to help patients establish healthy behavior, reduce the incidence of complications, improve patients′ compliance of catheters maintenance and quality of life in patients. Key words: PICC; Health education; Skinner process teaching; Reinforcement theory