Pre-operative education--a review of the research design.
Trials on the effectiveness of providing people with education before surgery have suggested a beneficial effect. Although this has been demonstrated through meta-analyses, the results from individual studies have not always shown significant differences between control and experimental groups. This could be a product of the design of the studies. Hence this paper examines the research literature on pre-operative education in the light of modern standards in design and reporting of randomised controlled trials. Patient assignment, blinding of participants and researchers, follow-up procedures and statistical analyses are considered. The theoretical framework underpinning this body of research and ethical issues are discussed. Although there are a relatively large number of studies on pre-operative education the conclusion is that there is considerable room for improvement in trial design as a basis for promoting evidence based nursing.
Shuldham
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C
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK.
D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design; D013223:Statistics as Topic