The Effect of Education Via Videoconferencing at Home on Individuals’ Self-efficacy and Adaptation to Life with a Stoma: A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of education via videoconferencing at home on individuals' self-efficacy and adaptation to life with a stoma. METHODS: A randomized controlled experimental study was conducted between November 2021 and July 2022 in an education and research hospital (face-to-face) and at the homes of individuals with a stoma (online). The study sample consisted of 60 individuals with a stoma: 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Study data were collected using the Individuals with Stoma Identification Form, Stoma Self-efficacy Scale (SSES), and Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23 (OAI-23). After discharge, participants in the experimental group received educational booklets and education on stoma care in four video conference sessions. The authors analyzed the data using frequency and percentage distributions, χ2 analyses, independent-sample t tests, Wilcoxon tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the median pretest SSES and OAI-23 scores and the median posttest SSES and OAI-23 scores in the experimental group. At the end of the study, more individuals in the experimental group cared for their own stoma. CONCLUSIONS: The education provided to individuals with a stoma significantly increased their self-efficacy and stoma adaptation scores. Hence, providing structured, continuous education on stoma care by nurses and using videoconferencing as an education method are recommended.