The Effect of Education on Hemodialysis Patients' Fatigue and Self-Care

Abstract

Aim: The study was done to evaluate the effect of education on the fatigue and self-care of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Method: The study sample consisted of 70 patients, randomly selected (35 controls and 35 intervention groups). The study datas were obtained by using the Patient Identification Form, Piper Fatigue Scale and Self-Care Agency Scale. Individual training on the content supporting coping with fatigue and self-care power was given to patients in the intervention group. Piper Fatigue Scale and Self-Care Agency Scale were reapplied to all patients at the 3th and 6th months following the completion of the training sessions. Results: In the pre-training evaluation, %88.6 of the intervention group and 91.4% of the control group experienced fatigue. The mean self-care score of the the intervention group was 86.20 and the control group was 79.11. In addition, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of their fatigue and self-care scores. In the evaluations at the third and sixth months, the control group’s total fatigue and self-care scores had not changed (high fatigue scores and low self-care scores). Post intervention, the fatigue scores of the intervention group decreased while self-care scores increased, with a moderately significant negative correlation found between the fatigue and self-care score. Conclusion: Results supported that individual training given to hemodialysis patients decreased fatigue scores and increased self-care scores.