Survey of colostomates’ satisfaction regarding stoma care education

Abstract

　Aim：To investigate colostomates’ satisfaction levels and their need for stoma care education provided by Registered Nurses（RN）or Enterostomal Therapist/Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses（ET/WOCN）.
　Subject：One thousand colostomates who were enrolled in the ConvaTec information support group, were randomly selected. They underwent colorectal surgery and received permanent colostomy between April 1st and August 31st, 2006.
　Methods：A researcher-designed questionnaire comprising 65 questions was sent by mail. The questionnaire was designed to assess the quality of education at four stages：pre-operative（pre-OP）, post-operative（post-OP）, before discharge（BD）, and at outpatient clinic in the post-operative stage（OC）. The Likert Scale was used to evaluate ostomates satisfaction level, and multiple-choice questions were employed to assess the specifics of their dissatisfaction.
　Results：One hundred and ninety eight ostomates responded to the survey. Throughout the four stages of evaluation（pre-OP, post-OP, BD, and OC）, 70％ or more of the ostomates were satisfied with the explanation and feedback they received from RN or ET/WOCN. At the pre-OP stage, 28％ of the ostomates complained about not receiving enough information on life with a stoma, stoma appliances, and stoma site marking. At the post-OP stage, 7％ of the ostomates complained of being given insufficient information about stoma appliances. At the BD stage, 13％ of the ostomates complained about not receiving enough information on odor control, the way to use a public toilet and finding suitable consultants. At the OC stage, 12％ of the ostomates complained of not receiving enough information about new products, odor control, and potential skin problems. Ostomates who were dissatisfied with care felt that their inquiries to RN or ET/WOCN did not alleviate their concerns and anxiety. Ostomates receiving education from ET/WOCN showed higher scores for satisfaction than ostomates receiving education from RN at the post-OP stage（P=0.0087：Mann-Whitney U test）.
　Discussion：Although ostomates received detailed explanations on stoma care at the pre-OP stage, they tended to have a difficult time picturing their life with stoma. At the post-OP stage, ostomates showed reduced anxiety over stoma care by receiving frequent support from RN or ET/WOCN. ET/WOCN provided sufficient information and care techniques which improved ostomates satisfaction levels regarding stoma care. Much more effort needs to be made by RN or ET/WOCN to improve the quality of ostomates lives. Further detailed investigations are needed to provide ostomates with adequate care information and appropriate care procedures.