Pressure ulcer prevention: family caregiver training effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention training for the relatives of palliative care inpatients.

METHODS: This study had a pretest-post-test design with parallel groups and a randomised control group, and it was conducted with 70 (experimental n=35, control n=35) patient relatives. A personal information form and Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test were used as data collection tools. Parametric tests were performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The pressure ulcer prevention training given to the relatives of palliative care patients in the experimental group was significantly effective in increasing their level of knowledge about these ulcers (p<0.05). However, the routine ward discharge training given to the relatives of palliative care patients in the control group was not significantly effective in increasing their level of knowledge about them (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Specialised training regarding pressure ulcers should be given to the relatives of patients receiving palliative care. It is important that the educational materials used in this trainings appeal to all sensory organs in order to improve the educational outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05979402.