Effectiveness of an educational intervention on knowledge about anticoagulant therapy: a quasi-experimental study

Eficacia de una intervención educativa sobre el conocimiento de la terapia anticoagulante: un estudio cuasiexperimental

Objectives:  to assess the effectiveness of a nursing education intervention on patients’ knowledge about anticoagulant therapy.

Methods:  a quasi-experimental study was conducted with 25 patients using warfarin. The intervention, based on the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory and applied using the Supported Self-Care methodology, consisted of remote follow-up with identification of difficulties in self-care, counseling, development of a care plan, assistance, and monitoring of results. Therapeutic knowledge was assessed before and after the follow-up. The results were compared using the Wilcoxon test.

Results:  the comparison of knowledge scores before and after the intervention showed an increase from 5.24 to 7.74 (p<0.001). After follow-up, no participant demonstrated insufficient knowledge.

Conclusions:  the educational intervention proved effective in increasing knowledge about the treatment. This finding demonstrates the potential of qualified nursing care through telehealth.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Anticoagulants; Knowledge; Health Education; Remote Patient Monitoring.