Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nursing education using a CD ROM on the anxiety and knowledge of the patients having minor surgery. METHOD: Forty patients hospitalized in K hospital in Seoul from April to August 2002 participated in this study. In the experimental group, twenty patients received nursing education on the operational procedures and post-operational care. The control group, received conventional nursing care only. Anxiety experienced by patients was measured by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and knowledge was measured by an instrument developed by Rahe et al. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical program. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in anxiety level between two groups. However, subjects in the experimental group were found to have significantly higher postoperative knowledge levels than those in the control group, and were very satisfied with the CD ROM program.
CONCLUSION
The nursing education program using CD ROM before minor surgery proved to be an effective nursing intervention to increase knowledge of patients and contribute to their self care after discharge. To decrease anxiety of the surgery, the nursing education program should be combined with supprortive emotional nursing intervention, such as touch, and massage.

• Keywords: Surgery; Anxiety; Patient education; Knowledge