Date of Award

Spring 5-23-2015

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Not listed

Abstract

Introduction: The primary goal of this project was to implement a pilot transition education program to prepare adolescents with congenital heart defects (CHD) by increasing knowledge about self-management of their health condition.

Method: An educational program was developed and included use of an interactive binder. A total of 20 adolescents with CHD between the ages of 16 – 18 years participated in transition education during a single outpatient cardiology visit with pre and post education knowledge assessment performed using the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for Congenital Heart Disease (LKQCHD).

Results: Following participation in the transition education, the overall mean knowledge scores increased from 43.6% (+/-) to 89.4%. (+/-). All participants scored > 50% post intervention.

Discussion: A formal transition education program demonstrated increased patient knowledge regarding their CHD. Advanced practice nurses are able to implement a transition education program and provide the necessary education to make a significant impact on patient knowledge.

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