Sufficiency of Knowledge Processed in Patient Education in Dialysis Care

Abstract

Purpose: Patient education improves health and treatment adherence of patients with chronic kidney disease. However, evidence about the sufficiency of patients' knowledge processed in patient education is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate subjective and objective sufficiency of knowledge processed in patient education in dialysis care and treatment. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The sample (n=162) comprised patients in predialysis or home dialysis. All eligible patients during the data collection timeframe (2016)(2017) in two university hospital districts in Finland were invited to participate. Subjective sufficiency was evaluated with a structured questionnaire having 34 items divided into six dimensions of empowering knowledge (bio-physiological, functional, social, experiential, ethical, and financial) on a Likert scale (1=not sufficient at all, 4=very sufficient). Objective sufficiency was evaluated with a structured knowledge test with 10 items (score range 0-10, correct=1, wrong/no knowledge=0) based on the multidimensional content of patient education emphasizing bio-physiological dimension. Results: In subjective sufficiency of knowledge, the mean was 3.27 (SD 0.54). The biophysiological dimension of empowering knowledge was the most sufficient (mean 3.52, SD 0.49) and the experiential the least (mean 2.8, SD 0.88). In objective sufficiency, the means ranged 5.15-5.97 (SD 2.37-2.68) among patients in different modalities of dialysis care and treatment. The least sufficient objective scores were bio-physiological and functional knowledge. The subjective and objective sufficiency did not correlate with each other. Conclusion: Patients' knowledge, either subjective or objective, does not seem to be sufficient. Hence, attention should be paid to supporting patients with more personalized knowledge. Furthermore, the relationship between subjective and objective sufficiency needs future consideration, as their non-correspondence was a new discovery.

The need for individualizing teaching and assurance of knowledge transmission to patients training for home dialysis

“…Objective evaluations are standardized, reproducible and eliminate bias. Thus objective evaluations are more durable and externally valid 23 …”

“…22 However, sufficient knowledge acquisition is multi-dimensional and is necessary to ensure patients are self-managing, compliant with therapy, understand treatment alternatives, while ensuring social and functional well-being. 23 Knowledge sufficiency ought to then be ascribed to encompass two domains including subjective and objective parameters. 23 Subjective evaluations are formulated from perceived beliefs based on healthcare personnel experience, patient experience, and global interplay perceptions.…”

“…23 Knowledge sufficiency ought to then be ascribed to encompass two domains including subjective and objective parameters. 23 Subjective evaluations are formulated from perceived beliefs based on healthcare personnel experience, patient experience, and global interplay perceptions. 23 Objective evaluations are standardized, reproducible and eliminate bias.…”

“…23 Subjective evaluations are formulated from perceived beliefs based on healthcare personnel experience, patient experience, and global interplay perceptions. 23 Objective evaluations are standardized, reproducible and eliminate bias. Thus objective evaluations are more durable and externally valid.…”

“…Thus objective evaluations are more durable and externally valid. 23 In The OSCE is divided into two a procedure related and theoretical/verbal components. The procedural component is subdivided into stages A through J with specific steps for each stage (Table 1).…”