Effects of structured patient education on knowledge level and INR control of patients receiving warfarin: Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of patient education about the safety of warfarin therapy on related-knowledge levels and on International Normalized Ratio (INR) control. METHODS: In the study, randomized controlled experimental study design was used. It was conducted between September 2014-March 2015 with 63 patients who use warfarin at least two months at cardiology and cardiovascular surgery outpatient departments of two different hospitals in Manisa. Participants in the intervention group received one-to-one education about the safety of warfarin therapy and a booklet. Participants in the control group received usual care. Patients' warfarin knowledge levels in both groups were measured three times at monthly intervals. RESULTS: Before education warfarin knowledge levels were inadequate in intervention group, but it was higher after education and reached a good level. No significant difference was found between the International Normalized Ratio controls of the two groups. No significant relationship was found between pre- and post-education warfarin knowledge levels and the INR number in the therapeutic range. CONCLUSION: One-to-one education supported by written and visual material was effective in increasing patients' warfarin knowledge levels.

Affecting factors and relationship between patients' attitudes towards the nursing profession and perceptions of nursing care in a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate affecting factors and the relationship between patients' attitudes towards the nursing profession and perceptions of nursing care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hafsa Sultan Hospital of Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey, from September to November 2014, and comprised inpatients. Data was collected by using a patient information form, the attitude scale for the nursing profession and the patient perception of hospital experience with nursing care scale. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 604 participants, 320(53%) were female and 266(44%) were aged 60 years or above. Mean satisfaction level on the patient perception scale was 70.79±6.69, and on the attitude scale 176.77±11.63. A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between the two scores (p< 0.01). It was detected that the age for patient perception of nursing care, and gender and education level for patients' attitudes towards the nursing profession were the affecting factors (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing care satisfaction and positive attitudes towards the nursing profession increased while patients' perceptions of nursing care improved.

Dysmenorrhea Characteristics of Female Students of Health School and Affecting Factors and Their Knowledge and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Methods.

The purpose of this study was to examine the menstruation and dysmenorrhea characteristics and the factors affecting dysmenorrhea of health school students, and the knowledge and use of the methods of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on the part of those students with dysmenorrhea. This is a descriptive study. A descriptive analysis was made by calculating the number, percentage, mean, Pearson χ, and logistic regression analysis. A total of 488 female students participated in the research and 87.7% (n = 428) of all students experienced dysmenorrhea. It was detected that a family history of dysmenorrhea and regular menstrual cycles of the students were dysmenorrhea-affecting factors (P < .05). Seven of 10 students with dysmenorrhea used CAM methods. Heat application of CAM methods for dysmenorrhea management was the most commonly used and also known by the students. The students who experienced severe pain used analgesics (P < .05) and CAM methods (P < .05).

Effects of Reiki on Post-cesarean Delivery Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Reiki on pain, anxiety, and hemodynamic parameters on postoperative days 1 and 2 in patients who had undergone cesarean delivery. The design of this study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The study took place between February and July 2011 in the Obstetrical Unit at Odemis Public Hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Ninety patients equalized by age and number of births were randomly assigned to either a Reiki group or a control group (a rest without treatment). Treatment applied to both groups in the first 24 and 48 hours after delivery for a total of 30 minutes to 10 identified regions of the body for 3 minutes each. Reiki was applied for 2 days once a day (in the first 24 and 48 hours) within 4-8 hours of the administration of standard analgesic, which was administered intravenously by a nurse. A visual analog scale and the State Anxiety Inventory were used to measure pain and anxiety. Hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse and breathing rates, and analgesic requirements also were recorded. Statistically significant differences in pain intensity (p = .000), anxiety value (p = .000), and breathing rate (p = .000) measured over time were found between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the time (p = .000) and number (p = .000) of analgesics needed after Reiki application and a rest without treatment. Results showed that Reiki application reduced the intensity of pain, the value of anxiety, and the breathing rate, as well as the need for and number of analgesics. However, it did not affect blood pressure or pulse rate. Reiki application as a nursing intervention is recommended as a pain and anxiety-relieving method in women after cesarean delivery.