Table 1.
Nurses’ descriptions of empowering patient education process for blood glucose monitoring
| Main category | Subcategory (N = number of descriptions) | Content of the subcategory |
|---|---|---|
| Need assessment |
Multiple methods (N = 8) |
Observation of the child and parents and their capabilities |
| Asking questions and interviewing the family | ||
| Reviewing hospital documents or consulting the primary nurse | ||
| |
Content (N = 7) |
Previous knowledge and skills |
| Previous experience of hospitalization; fears, shock or other mental distress | ||
| Personal character and family interaction or conflicts | ||
| Everyday life (hobbies, day care and parental involvement) | ||
| Planning |
Adequate preparation (N = 8) |
Relevant information on the patient, since education provided by the primary nurse |
| Preserving privacy in patient education and tranquil setting | ||
| Appropriate individual material and equipment | ||
| Considering methods in advance for school-age child and parents | ||
| |
Multiple objectives discussed with the child and parents (N = 7) |
Cognitive objectives (e.g. knowing target levels; understanding reasons for testing) |
| Capability objectives (e.g. managing techniques for blood glucose testing) | ||
| Experiential objectives (e.g. measuring not a scary experience for the child) | ||
| Attitude objectives (e.g. family’s readiness for practicing measuring) | ||
| Implementation |
Content of teaching (N = 10) |
Techniques for blood glucose testing |
| Information on blood glucose levels, measurement times and sources of errors in measuring | ||
| Information on what values mean and what to do with them | ||
| Keeping record of home monitoring | ||
| |
Use of teaching materials (N = 6) |
Written material delivered when hospitalized |
| Pictures, equipment and other demonstrative materials selected for child and parents | ||
| Individual material for keeping record of home monitoring | ||
| |
Teaching methods (N = 7) |
Interactive education (e.g. arranging friendly atmosphere; showing approval and empathy; verbal counseling combined with demonstration by play, pictures and equipment; instructing step by step; encouraging child and parents’ practical training; repeating instructions when needed) |
| Child-centered approach (e.g. encouraging child to participate by overcoming fear; respecting child’s own will by offering options to participate; teaching age-appropriately) | ||
| Family-centered approach (e.g. encouraging parents to ask questions, listening to them and answering questions; teaching child and parents together; proceeding on family’s terms; giving feedback) | ||
| Evaluation |
Various methods (N = 10) |
Nurse’s self-evaluation |
| Impression of the situation and observation of child and parents’ actions | ||
| Asking questions and discussion on feelings | ||
| Asking child and parents to explain what they learned and express their capability for monitoring | ||
| Using knowledge test or other evaluation measurements | ||
| Documentation (N = 10) | Patient education form and patient files |
|
| Subject of patient education and participants | ||
| Reactions of child and parents | ||
| Level of learning and need for repetition |