Impact of Video-Based Pressure Injury Training on Caregivers' Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors & Reactions

Pressure injuries (PI) are defined as localized damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissues due to pressure or shear accompanying pressure. This damage is seen in bone protrusions or in body areas that are in contact with medical devices and other objects. The main factor in the formation of PI is the decrease in blood flow to the tissues due to continuous pressure exposure. Pressure on the tissue prevents capillary circulation. As a result, capillary perfusion is impaired, adequate oxygenation of the tissues cannot be provided, and tissue ischemia develops. In cases where capillary circulation is completely blocked, PI can occur in an average of 2-6 hours. The decrease in tissue tolerance due to external factors such as friction, shear, and humidity and/or internal factors related to the patient also increases the risk of PI. PI developing in patients is known to cause physical and psychological trauma, negatively affect daily life activities, prolong the duration of hospital stay, reduce the quality of life, and increase care expenses. In Canada, the cost of BY care and treatment is determined to be between $2,450-12,648 per case, depending on the complications and stage of the injury. It has been reported that the annual cost of BY to the American healthcare system is $9.1-11.6 billion. In a systematic review conducted by Demarré et al. (2015) where 17 studies were analyzed, it was seen that the cost of treatment for BY for each patient varied between €1.7-470.5 per day, and the daily cost for preventing BY was between €2.6-87.6 per patient. In the studies, the general prevalence of BY was found to be 10.8% in European countries, 7.9% in Australia, 26% in Canada, and 15% in the United States. In a point prevalence study conducted by the Wound Ostomy Incontinence Nurses Association (YOİHD) in Turkey (2019) and covering patients from 13 hospitals in 12 regions of Turkey (n=5,088), the overall prevalence of BY was found to be 9.5%. In a study conducted with patients receiving home care services (n=2,779), the prevalence of BY was found to be 6.8% and 26.8% of patients were at risk of BY. In Australia, the prevalence of BY in the community was reported to be 9.4%, and in England, it was reported to be between 11% and 13%. In a study conducted in Turkey, the incidence of pressure ulcers in bedridden patients was determined to be 28.4%. In a study conducted with patients receiving home care services from a training and research hospital in Turkey (n=786), the BY rate was determined to be 29.8%. BY is seen as an important risk affecting the health of patients by health institutions in the world and in our country. Preventive practices are gaining importance due to the negative consequences of BY. The scope of education, which is considered an important component in the prevention of pressure injuries, should not be limited to the education of nurses only; risk factors should be taught to patients and their relatives who provide care, and training should be provided to reduce the risk. Since studies examining the effect of education on the prevention of BY do not provide sufficient evidence, more research is needed. The care process of patients with BY is made difficult due to the inability of caregivers to access educational opportunities. Inclusion of caregivers in the care team is effective in ensuring continuity of care, coordination, and the success of individual-centered BY prevention plans. In this context, in addition to training nurses, training of caregivers is important in the implementation of BY prevention plans and ensuring compliance with these plans. Training techniques for the prevention of BY include various techniques such as video-supported education, web-based education, distance education, education through tele-nursing, and standard (verbal) education. Health education includes various technologies such as collaborative applications provided through information and communication technologies and tools that enable individual learning. Educational videos, which are among these technologies, are tools that support knowledge, critical awareness and health promotion. Educational videos have been used in a number of pedagogical experiences that demonstrate the importance of their applicability in learning and teaching and combine elements such as images, sound and text under one roof. Video-assisted education is a very important technique because it concretizes what is conveyed with auditory and visual data, easily conveys scenarios related to real life and appeals to more than one sense. It is known that the use of video technology positively affects the knowledge levels of caregivers of patients with BD. Individuals who provide informal care to patients are usually family members and assume serious responsibilities. Caregivers' reactions to caregiving, in other words, the problems they experience while providing care, can also be classified as physical, social, economic and psychological problems.