Date of Conferral

2014

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Harvey Stone

Abstract

A medical center specializing in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services noted an increase in the number of postoperative ENT complications compared to the national average. The purpose of this mixed-methods project study was to examine ENT patients' preoperative patient education (PPE) needs regarding postoperative care. Grounded in Knowles's model of learning, core adult learning principles were applied as guidelines in facilitating patients' PPE learning. Data were collected from 58 ENT patients who were selected using a convenience sampling method and who responded to a PPE survey using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis for emergent themes. The quantitative findings included patients' perceived needs for preoperative and postoperative information regarding ENT care and surgery complications. The qualitative findings included patients' perceptions of PPE in ENT and recommendations for how to use PPE before and after surgery. Implications for positive social change include an awareness of patients' perceptions of PPE needs in ENT by hospital administrators, doctors, and nurses. A better understanding of PPE by patients could result in lower levels of postoperative complications in ENT.

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