Effect of Nursing Guidelines on Improving Knowledge and Relieve Anxiety of Diabetic Patients with Retinopathy

Abstract

Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes, which can lead even to blindness. Aim of study: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines for improving knowledge and relieve anxiety of diabetic patients with retinopathy. Design: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized. Setting: The study was carried out in outpatient clinic of ophthalmology at Ain Shams University Hospital. It is ‘the largest national referral hospital of teaching, Tools: 1) A Structured Interview Questionnaire (SIQ): it was included, the demographic data and clinical data of the studied patients. 2) Patient Knowledge Questionnaire It was used to assess patients' knowledge regarding, definition retinopathy, signs and symptoms, stages of retinopathy, causes, signs & symptoms, complications of diabetes on peripheral blood vessels, diagnosis, and treatment. 3) Taylor Anxiety Scale: It was designed to assess level of anxiety.4) Assessment barriers regarding diabetic retinopathy check up. Results: There were also, highly statistical significant differences between pre, post and follow up of implementing the nursing guidelines in most items of knowledge (at P<0.05). There were a highly statistically significant differences were found between pre, post and follow-up of implementing nursing guidelines among diabetic patients with retinopathy and relieve the severity of anxiety (X2 =20.430 P<0.05 and 66.719 P<0.01) respectively. There will be negative relationship between patients' level of anxiety and total knowledge of diabetic patients with retinopathy (r= 0.779 at P<0.01). Conclusion: The implementation of nursing guidelines had a positive effect on knowledge and relives level of anxiety among diabetic patients with retinopathy. Recommendation: - Develop more specialists in counselling services for patients with DR including an emphasis on psychosocial recovery and adaptation.