EJMS

Abstract

Background: Liver cirrhosis is one of the medical problems that are associated with impairments in health-related quality of life. Patients with liver cirrhosis need education and support to enable them to adjust to their chronic illness. Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of patients’ education on the quality of life of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted on 124 patients (control & study), with liver cirrhosis in medical departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Three tools were used for data collection; Patient's characteristics form, needs assessment questionnaire and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), they were used to assess quality of life of patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients were given questionnaires to assess their educational needs and quality of life. Then, patients’ education was conducted for the study group followed by assessment of their quality of life immediately after education and 3 months later. The quality of life of the study group was compared using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: There were statistically significant differences between both groups (study & control) at pre, immediately post and 3 months later after education regarding their quality of life. Conclusion and recommendations: The present study confirmed the positive effects of the patients’ education on the QOL of patients with liver cirrhosis. This study recommended starting patients' and families' teaching immediately after admission through standardized protocol of care.