A randomized control study: The effectiveness of multimedia education on self-care and quality of life in patients with enterostomy

Colorectal cancer is typically treated through surgery, and self-care skills play a crucial role in disease adaptation and quality of life improvement. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a multimedia patient education intervention on enhancing the self-care and quality of life among patients with a postoperative stoma as well as on establishing an easy-to-use ostomy self-care skills assessment. The sample comprised 108 patients with new ostomies who were randomly assigned to two groups. Data were collected from June 2018 to March 2019. The conventional education service program group received individual education in the hospital environment, consisting of four 3-h sessions delivered over 4 consecutive days. The multimedia group viewed a multimedia educational program using a laptop. Data were collected at baseline and 3 months after the intervention using a demographic questionnaire, an ostomy self-care ability scale and the Stoma Quality of Life Scale. Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in self-care ability and quality of life scores between the two groups (p = 0.764 and p = 0.466, respectively). However, 3 months after the intervention, the group that received the multimedia software intervention showed significantly higher self-care ability and quality of life scores compared to the group that received conventional education services (p < 0.001). When a set threshold is reached, self-care ability and a good quality of life can be met. The threshold value of the ostomy self-care skill scale was determined to be 20 points, resulting in a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 75.5%. The results indicate that the multimedia education program enhanced home self-care ability and quality of life among patients with enterostomy.