Patients, information needs regarding skin traction: suggested nursing instructions

Background Traction aligns fractures, reduces muscle spasms, and avoids deformity. Despite its frequent use, many patients experience anxiety, discomfort, and complications related to unmet informational needs. Understanding patients’ information needs regarding skin traction as its purpose, self-care, identifying complications, and mobility assistance is essential for planning effective nursing interventions and improving patient outcomes. Aim To assess patients’ information needs regarding skin traction, as well as to develop nursing instructions based on patients’ information needs findings. Design Descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Setting This study was conducted in Orthopedic Inpatient Department at Damanhour Medical National Institute. Sample A convenient consecutive sample of 130 orthopedic patients. Tools Two tools were used: (I) Demographic and Medical Data Form and (II) Patients’ Information Needs of Skin Traction Questionnaire (PINSTQ). Results According to patients’ response and their priorities the study findings revealed that patients undergoing skin traction had information needs regarding skin traction procedure details (83.3%), emotional and psychological support (78.5%), complications (78.1%), care and maintenance (71.7%), activity and mobility (68.7%), purpose and benefits of skin traction (60.5%), safety and comfort (21.6%). Also, overall mean percentage score of patients’ information needs regarding skin traction was 78.23%. Conclusion The current study concluded that patient undergoing skin traction had relatively high information needs indicating patients had no information about skin traction and its care. Recommendation Provide nursing instructions for patient undergoing skin traction to improve clinical outcomes.