Introduction: In the last 30 years, the use of pacemakers has considerably increased, which also ensured the survival of more patients with bradycardia and heart failure. In addition to a higher survival rate, the aim of nursing is to ensure the highest possible quality of life of patients with an implanted pacemaker. Nurses try to provide patients with appropriate information and knowledge, as this considerably affects their quality of life. Aim: The aim of this paper is to present, through a literature review, what information on health education nurses should provide to patients, in what way and with what aids, and how this acquired knowledge affects patients’ life in the future. Methods: Using the descriptive work method, we carried out an overview of professional and scientific literature written in Slovene and English. The literature was obtained using the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Library. Results: In the process of health education, nurses provide patients with information regarding pacemakers, life after pacemaker implantation and the ways of observing the insertion site. They also warn patients about risk factors, which could pose a health threat, and explain different restrictions, such as avoiding electromagnetic radiation and restrictions related to physical activity. The results of the literature review showed that patients who underwent health education perceive the disease differently, they feel that they can control it, they feel less stressed about pacemaker implantation and they are less anxious and depressed. Before health education is carried out, patients are unsatisfied with their knowledge, while after the health education program is implemented, they acquire more knowledge and feel pleased with it. In the process of health education, nurses should use written materials featuring pictures as a learning tool, combined with a conversation. Discussion and conclusion: Health education is a key factor in decreasing risk factors, reducing complications after pacemaker implantation and improving quality of life. A successfully implemented health education program may improve the acquired level of knowledge, which shows the importance of planned and systematic health education, provided by nurses during hospitalisation, which has an impact on patients' life in the future. Health education is a compulsory and indispensable part of each hospital treatment. Patients must be provided with understandable and clear information, which enriches the knowledge of patients with a pacemaker and must thus be as useful as possible.
|
