Optimising anticoagulant education in the paediatric setting using a validated model of education.
OBJECTIVE
Providing education to patients requiring anticoagulant therapy may be associated with improved outcomes. This study investigated the knowledge outcomes of a validated educational intervention.


METHODS
Parents of children with congenital heart disease requiring warfarin therapy took part in an educational intervention. Warfarin knowledge was assessed prior to commencing the program, immediately following its completion and 6 months following completion.


RESULTS
Parents demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their warfarin knowledge immediately following completion of the program (p < 0.0001), with this improvement being sustained over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Current approaches to educating parents of children requiring warfarin therapy are likely suboptimal. Using a validated model of education may be associated with improved knowledge outcomes for patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Consideration to the processes used in delivering patient education may result in improved patient knowledge outcomes.
Newall
Fiona
F
Clinical Haematology Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. fiona.newall@rch.org.au
Johnston
Linda
L
Monagle
Paul
P