Effects of the Communicating Support Program on the Caregiver’s Knowledge and Self-Efficacy to Care for Stroke Patient with Communication Impairment

Abstract

Abstract
The purposes of this quasi-experimental research were to test the effects of the
communication support program on the caregivers’ knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome
expectation of their care, and satisfaction in the program for stroke patients with communication impairments. A sample of 30 family caregivers for stroke patients with communication impairments were recruited by purposive sampling. The communicating support program for caregivers was developed based on Bandura’s Self-Efficacy theory. Data were collected on 2nd, 7th , and 14th days after the program. The research instruments consisted of: 1) screening instruments including the Thai version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and The Set Test; 2) the experimental instruments was the communication support program for caregivers of stroke patients with communication impairment; and 3) the instruments for collecting data including the the Caregiver’s Knowledge Test, the Self-Efficacy Scale, the Outcome Expectation Assessment, and Caregiver’s Satisfaction Questionaire. Data were analyzed using One-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA statistics. The results revealed that the knowledge, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations of the caregivers of stroke patients were improved significantly after the program finished and there was a moderate level for caregiver’s satisfaction with the program. This study suggested that the program may be of benefit for nurses and healthcare team who take care of stroke patients with communication impairments.
However, modification to suit the context of each facility may be needed

Keywords: Stroke caregiver, Communication impairment, Knowledge, Self-efficacy,
Outcome expectation