Authors

  1. Lanier, Elaine M.
  2. Buffum, Martha D.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to determine the content of preoperative and postoperative patient education for deep brain stimulation-an increasingly popular procedure used globally-in an effort to guide standardization among nurses. The study used survey methodology with a convenience sample of nurses involved in a Veterans Administration cooperative study for patients with Parkinson's disease. Of the 19 study coordinators responding, 16 were nurses; education ranged from bachelor's to medical degrees; 90% teach 54% of the same preoperative content and 80% teach 23% of the same postoperative content; 95% provide education face to face; and 90% include family caregivers. Most address preoperative anxiety in all aspects of their education. Before standardizing content, future research should address patient and family perspectives about helpful content.