Determine the knowledg, attitude and practice of nurses about patient education

Patient education is one of the most basic nursing roles. Patient education has a considerable impact on the prevention, treatment, improving the health of patients and reduction of budget. This research has been done in order to determined attitude, knowledge and function of clinical nurses about patient education.
This research is a cross-sectional study. Research society was clinical nurses working in Ramsar‘s Imam Sajjad and Tonekabon’s Shahid Rajaii hospitals.199 Nurses who are working in different wards of these hospitals were taken as samples by random sampling in 2012. Number of samples (n=199) were determined according to number of the research community (411 nurses) and 0/5% error level using Morgan Table and Cochran formula. In order to collect the data a 4-part self-made questioner was used. First part was sample demographic survey, second part was 18 phrases in form of Licret in order to determined attitude and the third part was designing 12 question in order to evaluate knowledge and12 questions for function of clinical nurses in fourth part. The authority of the questionnaire was confirmed by asking science committee and using weighted average. After collecting data with application software Chi-square test results were obtained.
FINDINGS: 5.4 % of research samples were men, and 94.6% were women. A meaningful relation was obtained between attitudes, patient education role acceptance and work background. The excellent knowledge level of 55% of samples was in good level. 21% of the samples were achieved a higher performance level. A significant relationship between the patient education and qualification was found.
People in our society trust in doctors and entrust their lives in their hands. Education is also the most important tool in their hand which is used in order to increase patient ability in taking care of themselves. So, it becomes clear that increasing and keeping positive attitude and the ability in executing patient education is one of the most important roles of nursing.