Optimising anticoagulant education in the paediatric setting using a validated model of education

Objective

Providing education to patients requiring anticoagulant therapy may be associated with improved outcomes. This study investigated the knowledge outcomes of a validated educational intervention.

Methods

Parents of children with congenital heart disease requiring warfarin therapy took part in an educational intervention. Warfarin knowledge was assessed prior to commencing the program, immediately following its completion and 6 months following completion.

Results

Parents demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their warfarin knowledge immediately following completion of the program (p < 0.0001), with this improvement being sustained over time.

Conclusion

Current approaches to educating parents of children requiring warfarin therapy are likely suboptimal. Using a validated model of education may be associated with improved knowledge outcomes for patients.

Practice implications

Consideration to the processes used in delivering patient education may result in improved patient knowledge outcomes.