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Information provision in neurological dysphagia - impact of a booklet on patient's knowledge, happiness and satisfaction.
  • Juliana Ferreira,
  • Margarida Figueiredo-Braga
Juliana Ferreira
University of Porto

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Margarida Figueiredo-Braga
University of Porto
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Abstract

Dysphagia has physiological and psychosocial consequences for patients and their caregivers. Although the psychological impact of dysphagia can be devastating, research has privileged the physiological and clinical outcomes of the disorder. Provision of information may enhance patient’s knowledge and ability to cope with the disorder. In the present study, an original booklet and routine information procedures where compared regarding satisfaction with communication, subjective feeling of happiness, and knowledge about dysphagia in patients and caregivers. A convenience sample of 27 patients with neurological dysphagia was allocated to an experimental group (n = 14) who received the booklet, and a control group (n = 13) submitted to the routine information procedures. Evaluation of type and severity of dysphagia was performed in both groups, and participants were surveyed at two moments (T1 and T2) regarding subjective well-being – Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and satisfaction with the communication- Satisfaction Survey adapted from Patients Satisfaction with the Interview Assessment Questionnaire (PSIAC). Patient’s knowledge about dysphagia was evaluated at At T2. Statistically significant higher level of SHS and knowledge about dysphagia was found in the experimental group at T2. Conversely, Satisfaction was lower in the control group at T2 compared with T1. This study provides compelling arguments for combining verbal and written information in patients with neurological dysphagia. The use of the booklet made a significant contribution to patients’ knowledge.