Effectiveness of a Nurse-Delivered Intervention on Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life in Patients With Injury.

BACKGROUND

Research has shown that nursing interventions are able to affect short-term outcomes in patients with injury. However, evidence based on a comprehensive nurse-led intervention may be beneficial for trauma care.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to assess the effect of a nursing intervention on the illness perceptions and quality of life of patients with injury.

METHODS

A two-group experimental design and a follow-up period of 12 months were used. Ninety-four patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. A nurse-led cognitive behavioral therapy intervention was used to improve outcomes.

RESULTS

The illness perception variables of "personal control" and "treatment control" were found to be significantly improved in the experimental group at 3 months after discharge, whereas "emotional perception" was significantly improved at 6 months after discharge. The intervention was also shown to improve "social quality of life" at 6 and 12 months after injury.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds new knowledge related to nursing interventions for patients with injury in terms of the intervention achieving longer-term effects than the interventions examined in previous studies. The results highlight the importance of providing interprofessional collaborative care. However, the intervention protocol should be tested further in future studies.