The role of group education on quality of life in patients with a stoma

Abstract

Stoma education has been traditionally given in a one-to-one setting. Since 2007, daily group education programmes were organised for stoma patients and their relatives by our stoma therapy unit. The programmes included lectures on stoma and stoma care, and social activities in which patients shared their experiences with each other. Patients were also encouraged to expand interaction with each other and organise future social events. A total of 72 patients [44 (61.1%) male with a mean (± SD) age of 56.8 ± 13.6 years] with an ileostomy (n= 51, 70.8%), a colostomy (n= 18, 25.0%) or a urostomy (n= 3, 4.2%) were included in the study. Patients were asked to answer a survey (SF-36) face-to-face before the initiation of the programme, which was repeated 3 months later via telephone call. The comparison of pre-education and post-education SF-36 scores revealed a statistically significant improvement in all 8-scale profiles, but not in vitality scale, and both psychometrically-based and mental health summary measures. Analyses disclosed that married patients and those who were living at rural districts seem to have the most improvement in life quality particularly in bodily pain, general health and role-emotional scales and mental health summary measure. In our opinion, group educations may be beneficial for stoma patients, and stoma therapy units may consider organising similar activities.

Literature Review: Profile of Publications for the Patients with Stoma in Turkey

“…49 In the study of Tarı, 8 46.4% were found to perform prayer, and 71% were found that could not fast. In the study of Altuntas et al 18 (n=56), albumin and general health status were found to be higher in individuals that fast than the ones that do not fast. Many individuals that fast declared that they would feel sorry if they cannot fast.…”

“…4,13,14,15 Most common stoma complications are skin problems, peristomal infection, mucocutaneous separation, stenosis, ischemia, stomal prolapses, parastomal hernia, retraction, anastomosis leakage, and acute renal failure. 13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 Most common complications following stoma closure are wound site infection, postoperative ileus, and anastomosis leakage. 25 In a multicenter study by Baykara et al 13 stomal/peristomal complications were reported in 248 patients.…”

“…It was also found that fasting did not affect quality of life, but gas output and fecal incontinence was found to be improved. 18 …”

“…5 Participation to planned group sessions, 19 and taking social and professional support 27 were found to ease compliance to ostomy. In group sessions, individuals share their experiences and suggest solutions for problems to others experiencing similar problems in their daily life, which increases the quality of life, 19,18,61 and subsequently increases psychosocial compliance. 28 Nutrition programs decrease problems in nutrition of individuals with stoma, 61 colostomy irrigation helps Muslims to perform their worship comfortably and increases quality of life, and decreases in daily bag change and skin complications cause financial advantages.…”

“…78 Since planned group interactions are effective in increasing social compliances of individuals with stoma, group interaction management should be incorporated in nursing care of these individuals, 76 and stomatherapy units/ nurses should organize group educations to individuals with stoma and their families. 18 This literature review was performed in care of individuals with urostomy, nutrition in individuals with stoma, diet, various surgical techniques, and comparison of efficiency fi elds, 79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97 and there are still uncategorized studies.…”