Hypothesis / aims of study
This is the original research work done to overcome the practical difficulties of spinal cord injury patients in low and lower middle income countries. Many of the consequences associated with spinal cord injury with incontinence of bowel and bladder do not result from the condition itself, but from inadequate medical care and rehabilitation services. Patients with spinal cord injury are totally dependent on their caregivers initially after being discharged from hospital. Caregivers are usually from their family members and loved ones; to reduce the treatment cost (1). Patient’s and caregiver’s education is necessary for the safe, effective rehabilitation in terms of activities of daily living and quality of life.
The objectives of the study were to develop and validate a planned teaching program (PTP) on bowel and bladder care of spinal cord injury patients and to assess the level of knowledge and practice and to access the specialized skills in rehabilitation services.
H-I: The mean post-test knowledge score of the caregivers is significantly higher than their mean pre-test knowledge score after administration of planned teaching program on bowel and bladder care of SCI patients.
H2: The mean post-test practice score of the caregiver is significantly higher than their mean pre-test practice score after administration of PTP on bowel and bladder care of SCI patients.
Study design, materials and methods
Patients often get discharged with bowel and bladder problems and they need care during their rehabilitation at home. Hence the caregivers play a vital role in caring for these patients in their home environment and they can apply their knowledge gathered during patient’s hospital stay to practice bowel and bladder care (2).
The Demographic pro-forma for the caregiver regarding age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, any previous experience of caring of SCI patients, exposure to other sources regarding bowel and bladder care after SCI and relationship with the patient was collected.
The conceptual framework of the study was based on System Model. Convenient sampling technique was used to obtain 40 male spinal cord injury patients with the caregivers as the sample. Structured interview schedule and observation checklist were used to collect data before and after the planned teaching program with a practical knowledge observation. The scale Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and the Caregivers Burden Scale (CB Scale) for care burden.
Review of the related literature is regarding bowel and bladder care of SCI patients and effect of planned teaching program on bowel and bladder care in terms of knowledge and practice among caregivers of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The review of literature facilitates the investigator in designing and conducting the study. Literature also helped to establish the need for the study, to develop a conceptual framework, adopt a research design, develop tools and decide on plan of data analysis.
Interpretation of results
Interpretation of data obtained through demographic pro-forma, structured knowledge questionnaire and observation checklist to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on bowel and bladder care among the care givers of spinal cord injury patients.