Development of the Guideline for Hepatitis C Patients Care, Liver Clinic Out-patient Department (Medicine), Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok

Abstract

This research and development study aimed to develop guidelines for nursing care for hepatitis C patients at a hepatitis clinic. Additionally, the study examined outcomes by comparing the duration, the number of appointments before starting treatment, and patient satisfaction between the control and experimental groups. The study consisted of 4 stages: 1) analysis of situations of patients' care, 2) development of the nursing guidelines, 3) implementation of the guidelines, and 4) evaluation of the guidelines. The sample was divided into 2 groups including 60 patients in control and experimental groups, 30 in each group. The instruments in the study included the guidelines for hepatitis C patients at a liver clinic, an outpatient department, a care guidelines assessment form, and a satisfaction assessment questionnaire. The duration and the number of appointments before starting treatment were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, while patient satisfaction data were analyzed using frequency, mean, and median.

The results showed that the duration and the number of appointments between the control and experimental groups, after implementing the guidelines, were statistically significantly different (p < 0.01). Moreover, the patient satisfaction scores between the control and experimental groups after using the guidelines were not significantly different.

For suggestions, other outpatient clinics can apply the guidelines for nursing care for hepatitis C patients at a hepatitis clinic to improve the service such as 1) managing a clinic to reduce steps, 2) emphasizing providing knowledge on disease, treatment, self-care, and proper medication administration, and 3) improving the guidelines by using the Deming cycle for the quality of nursing care.