Effects of Nurse Led Base Education for Prevention of Complications Undergoing Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Background: Thyroidectomy is a common surgical intervention associated with substantial risk for postoperative complications including hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hematoma, and infection. Nurse-led education has emerged as a critical perioperative strategy for improving patient preparedness and enhancing adherence to self-care protocols, yet its direct impact on clinical outcomes remains understudied in resource-constrained settings. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a structured nurse-led educational intervention on patient knowledge, confidence, and practices related to prevention of postoperative complications among individuals undergoing thyroidectomy. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention study was conducted at Ali Fatima Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2024. Thirty patients scheduled for primary thyroidectomy were recruited through random sampling and completed a validated questionnaire before and after receiving a standardized, nurse-led educational session. Primary outcomes included changes in knowledge scores, self-reported confidence, and adherence to postoperative care practices. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and McNemar’s test with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Mean knowledge scores increased significantly from 30.27 (SD 3.84) to 44.73 (SD 2.23) (p=0.0365, Cohen’s d=1.48). Practice checklist adherence improved from 70.0% to 100% (p<0.001) and confidence in self-care rose from 3.56 to 4.70 on a 5-point Likert scale (p<0.001). Improvements were consistent across educational strata. Conclusion: Nurse-led education significantly enhances patient knowledge, confidence, and adherence to self-care practices in the perioperative period, underscoring its potential as a scalable intervention for reducing postoperative complication risk in thyroidectomy patients.