A standardised patient education programme for peptic ulcer patients: impact on quality of life and medication adherence
Background: Peptic ulcers can have a major negative impact on patients' quality of life (QoL), especially if patients do not adhere to prescribed medication. Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the impact on QoL and adherence of an educational programme for peptic ulcer patients, delivered by a variety of methods. Methods: The population in this single-blind randomised control experimental study included 120 peptic ulcer patients randomly assigned to four groups. Data were collected using the Gastrointestinal Patients' Quality of Life Index and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Findings: A significant increase was observed in the mean scores related to QoL (p=0.001) and medication adherence (p=0.003) compared with the control group after the educational intervention in the intervention groups. One-way ANOVA test for four independent groups indicated a significant difference between the mean scores related to QoL and medication adherence in the four groups after the intervention (p<0.05). In addition, a significant difference was reported in the mean score changes before and after the intervention in QoL and medication adherence between messenger group and face-to-face, web and control groups. Conclusions: Although all three methods of face-to-face, web-based and messenger-based education improved the QoL and medication adherence in peptic ulcer patients, the last method enhanced these patient-related outcomes more effectively than the other two.