An Experimental Study to Assess the Effective ness of a Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge and Practices Regarding Care of Unconscious Patients among Attendants of Patients Admitted in Critical Care Units of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla

Unconscious patients admitted in critical care units are completely dependent on attendants and healthcare professionals for their daily care and prevention of complications. Proper knowledge and practices regarding the care of unconscious patients are essential to maintain hygiene, prevent infections, pressure sores, aspiration, and other complications. The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme (STP) on knowledge and practices regarding the care of unconscious patients among attendants of patients admitted in critical care units of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla. A quantitative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted among 39 attendants of unconscious patients selected through non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklist. The Structured Teaching Programme included topics related to unconsciousness, airway maintenance, positioning, hygiene care, feeding, prevention of pressure ulcers, infection prevention, safety measures, and emotional support. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, along with paired t-test to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. The pre-test findings revealed inadequate knowledge and poor practices among attendants regarding the care of unconscious patients. After administration of the Structured Teaching Programme, a remarkable improvement was observed in both knowledge and practice scores. The mean knowledge score increased significantly from pre-test to post-test, and practice scores also showed marked improvement. The paired t-test values for knowledge and practice were found to be highly statistically significant at p < 0.001, indicating that the Structured Teaching Programme was effective in improving the attendants’ knowledge and practices. The study concluded that the Structured Teaching Programme significantly enhanced the knowledge and practices of attendants regarding the care of unconscious patients. The findings emphasize the importance of regular educational interventions and training programmes for attendants in critical care settings to promote quality patient care and prevent complications among unconscious patients.