title: Evaluation of the expert patient program in a Chinese population with permanent colostomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A colostomy can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Recent research findings suggest that self-efficacy and psychosocial adjustment are positively associated with quality of life, but there are few research reports about the self-efficacy and psychosocial adjustment of patients with a permanent colostomy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a 3-week Expert Patient Program (EPP) on colostomy knowledge, stoma care self-efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment in Chinese patients who had a permanent colostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with permanent colostomy volunteered to be trained to be expert patients. Eighty-one patients with permanent colostomy were recruited and participated in the 3-week EPP courses. Questionnaires with items about knowledge on colostomy, stoma care self efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment were administered before and at 4 weeks following the EPP courses. Each EPP participant also completed a verbal interview at the end of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EPP participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement (P < .01) in knowledge, self-efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment to colostomy (mean [SD]: 51.89 [11.45] vs 89.22 [19.90], 71.56 [5.93] vs 85.61 [14.32], 125.44 [19.27] vs 140.78 [15.34], 47.59 [9.64] vs 53.37 [10.68], respectively). Most participants gave positive ratings to the EPP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that the EPP was applied effectively in patients with permanent colostomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the importance of psychosocial support for patients with permanent colostomy. It offers a model of self-help practice in colostomy patients, supported by community that can benefit more patients with permanent colostomy.
authors.affiliation: Nursing School of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiao-dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Lin-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China; D003125:Colostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult