Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan Y(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
Hip fracture patients undergo lengthy recovery following hospitalization and the process is often difficult. Caregivers assumes a critical role. However, family members are often thrust into the role of caregivers with no prior knowledge of caring, which could be stressful. It is important for occupational therapists to provide support to caregivers.
Objectives :
The purpose of current retrospective study was to evaluate whether implementing an education session can improve caregivers’ competency in various aspects of care and relieve caring stress.
Methodology :
Data were collected from 2017 to 2019 in fracture hip unit with multidisciplinary approach to minimize hospital stay.
90 primary caregivers were selected through convenience sampling. Selective criteria included possibility of discharge home and availability of caregivers.
Occupational therapists conducted weekly caregiver education session. Each session lasted for 45 minutes with 3-4 caregivers. Education covers four main aspects: disease information, caring skills in ADL activities, education on assistive devices and home safety.
Additional and customized one-on-one education session were provided if needed. Caregivers completed a questionnaire (5-points Likert Scale) to assess their understanding and competency before education session. The same questionnaire was administered after the session. The results of the questionnaire were compared. Caregivers were also asked to rate satisfaction level towards education session in preparing them for caregiver role.
Result & Outcome :
90 caregivers attended the education session. Prior to the session, most caregivers rated themselves having limited knowledge in caregiving, and having low competency in assisting ADL activities especially bathing (average score: 2.1). This could be explained by patients’ poor ADL performance. Among 90 patients, their average Modified Barthel Index score were 50.4 before discharge from QEH. Their bathing performance was the poorest (average score: 1.5). Results of questionnaire improved significantly (p< 0.001) in all areas after the education session. The most competent to assist was dressing (average score: 3.8) while the least competent to assist in bathing (average score: 3.5). The greatest improvement came in the areas of bathing and toileting. They responded that education was useful (45%) in preparing them to care the patients. Average satisfaction score was 4.7. Ultimately, most of patients (68) could discharge home as their final destination after whole rehabilitation journey. The caregiver education session achieved gains in the quality and efficiency of care by improving competency of caregivers. Ongoing clinical interventions are needed to establish effective methods to empower these caregivers.
