Effect of Educational Program on Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Permanent Pacemakers’ Implantation

Abstract

Contents: Patients undergoing permanent implantable pacemaker, challenge with multiple physical, psychological along with social complications. Teaching patients the essential points involving pacemaker management can prevent complications.
 Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational program on outcomes of patients undergoing permanent pacemakers' implantation.
 Methods: A quasi-experimental pre/posttest and follow-up design were used to conduct this study. A convenient sample of 35 adult patients from both genders undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation was recruited from Beni-Suef University hospital's catheter lab, inpatient department, ICU, CCU, and outpatient cardiology clinic. Patients' interviewing questionnaire, patient performance checklist, pacemaker self-efficacy scale, and Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to achieve this study's aim.
 Results: 91.4% of the studied patients had unsatisfactory total knowledge at the baseline, improved to 85.7% had a satisfactory knowledge immediately post educational intervention, and relatively maintained to 68.6% of them had a satisfactory level of total knowledge after four weeks of program implementation. 97.1% of the studied patients had unsatisfactory total practice at the baseline, improved to 65.7% had a satisfactory practice immediately post educational intervention, and improved to 77.1% of them had a satisfactory level of total practice after four weeks of program implementation. 71.4%, 85.7% of the studied patients were not confident at all with their ability to control symptoms and maintain their usual functions respectively before education. 91.4% of them reported a total low self-efficacy score before the educational intervention. In comparison, 45.7% were very confident in controlling symptoms and moderately confident in maintaining usual functions at the follow-up phase. Besides, 65.7 exhibited total high self-efficacy at the follow-up assessment. 57.1% of the studied patients exhibit severe anxiety at the baseline assessment, while 65.7% and 74.3% exhibit mild anxiety at the post and follow-up assessment.
 Conclusion: A statistically significant improvement in patients' knowledge, practice, self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression immediately and after four weeks compared to their baseline. The study recommended that the educational program be an essential part of the total management of patients undergoing implanted pacemakers.