An experimental study to compare the effectiveness of individual and group preoperative instruction

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of individual and group preoperative instruction in deep breathing, coughing, and bed exercises. The major questions asked in this study were: Is group preoperative instruction in deep breathing, coughing, and bed exercises as effective as individual instruction, as measured by the postoperative performance of exercises, the incidence of postoperative complications, and the length of hospital stay? Is there a relationship between one or more of the selected characteristics of the subjects (age, sex, smoking habits, weight and type of incision) and the effectiveness of individual and group preoperative instruction as measured by the above variables? Using one surgical floor of a general hospital, sixty adult surgical patients who met the criteria of the study, were alternately assigned by week to either individual or group preoperative instruction. Structured instruction in deep breathing, coughing, and bed exercises was instituted by the investigator and the preoperative teaching nurse with the assistance of a booklet. The data were collected by means of the patient profile sheet and the evaluation guide of performance tool. The null hypotheses of the study were tested by means of t test and chi-square test of significance. The results revealed no significant difference between the effectiveness of individual and group preoperative instruction. The null hypotheses were accepted with p = .05. On determining the relationship between the selected characteristics of the subjects and the effectiveness of individual and group instruction, no significant results were obtained. The results were similar in individual and group instruction. The major conclusions drawn from the findings of the study were: group preoperative instruction in deep breathing, coughing, and bed exercises is as effective as individual instruction; and group instruction is as effective as individual instruction for subjects, regardless of their age. It is implied from the findings of the study that, group preoperative instruction should be tried out in hospitals; and schools of nursing should include in their curriculum, the dynamics of small group method. A number of recommendations for future investigations were suggested.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat