The effects of training hospital visitors on patient satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study

Hospitalization in coronary care unit is stressful for patients. Family members and visitors’ lack of knowledge related to their manner of behaving with their patients increases patients’ stress and dissatisfies them with visitation. This study was conducted to examine the effects of training hospital visitors on satisfaction of patients hospitalized in coronary care units. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 124 patients hospitalized in Rafsanjan coronary care unit, Rafsanjan, Iran. In the experimental group, visitors were trained in areas such as emotion and feeling management, patients’ underlying problems, equipments and devices used in coronary care units, effective visitor-patient communication, and patients’ rights during visitation. A researcher-made scale was used for assessing patients’ satisfaction with visitation both before and after the study. Study data were analyzed by using the SPSS18. After the study, the level of patients’ overall satisfaction with visitation in the experimental group increased significantly (p<0.0001). Moreover, compared with the control group, the levels of patients’ satisfaction with nursing care, visitation, and visitors’ comments and emotional reactions were significantly higher in the experimental group (p<0.05). Study findings highlighted the importance of paying careful attention to visitation and visitors. Providing planned trainings to visitors can enhance patients’ satisfaction and facilitate their recovery.