Demands and countermeasures of health education on artificial liver support in chronic liver failure patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the demands of health education on artificial liver support in chronic liver failure patients, and to discuss the appropriate methods of health education, in order to provide the basis for the health education of chronic liver failure patients with artificial liver support. Methods A total of 60 in-patients with artificial liver support from January 2012 to January 2013 were tested by questionnaires, from different aspects such as physical need, safety need, informational communication, emotional support, self-esteem and self-actualization, using multiple methods of one-on-one tutoring, multimedia, health brochures, lectures and bulletin boards, in order to investigate their demands of health education. Results Chronic liver failure patients with artificial liver support had demands on health education in many ways. The demand of different content and methods of health education, emotional support and one-on-one tutoring were the most. Patients with college degree or above needed health brochures more than patients with secondary education. Conclusions Chronic liver failure patients with artificial liver support have demands of health education in many ways, and patients with different educational levels have different demands. We should apply specific health education according to the different features of patients, in order to make patients cooperate and assure the treatment of artificial liver support to enhance the patients′ recovery. Key words: Artificial liver support; Chronic liver failure; Health education