The Evaluation of Nursing Care Satisfaction and Patient Learning Needs in day Case Surgery

Patients in surgical service units have higher expectations for treatment and care. The aims of this study were to determine nursing care satisfaction and information requirements at the time of discharge of patients from a day surgery unit and to assess the effects of demographics. The study was conducted on 291 patients undergoing day case surgery. Patient perception scale for nursing care (PPSN) and the patient learning needs scale (PLNS) were used and total and sub-dimension points averages were calculated and then compared with demographic data using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results were evaluated at the p< 0.05 significance level with 95 % confidence intervals. Of the patients, 58.8 % (n= 171) were females and the average age was 49.5 +/- 15.3 years. PPSN and PLNS total point averages were 68.16 +/- 10.17 and 178.53 +/- 27.59, respectively. A significant difference was determined in PPSN total point average with regard to previous hospitalisations; the PPSN total point average was higher for patients with prior hospitalisations (p< 0.001). Significant differences were determined between PLNS total point average and age group, marital status, receiving discharge training, and education level (p= 0.008, 0.006, < 0.001, and 0.015, respectively). Differences were found in the PLNS sub-dimension point averages between groups, especially with regard to age group and educational level. We showed that patient satisfaction and patient information requirements could change according to demographic features of the patients at a day case surgery unit. In this respect, healthcare providers should offer healthcare services by evaluating the personal characteristics of patients because this is important for their satisfaction.