Evaluation of the effects of social media-based training on satisfaction and anxiety among the families of patients at the intensive care unit after coronary artery bypass surgery

Background: Patients� relatives who receive insufficient information suffer immense anxiety before their patients� surgery and hospitalization. Providing information and training via social media alleviates anxiety and boost satisfaction among patients� relatives. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of social media-based training on anxiety and satisfaction among the family members of patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: In the present quasi-experimental research, the study population was divided into intervention and control groups. Data were collected on 100 family members of patients at the ICU after CABG in the year 2017. The sample was selected via the convenience sampling method in Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical, and Research center. The intervention group became members of a Telegram channel and subsequently received information about CABG and postoperative treatments through this channel. For the control group, however, only traditional methods were performed. For data collection, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and and ICU family satisfaction questionnaire were used. The data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: Based on the findings, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the average score for the STAI questionnaire showed a significant drop and the amount of satisfaction after receiving information exhibited a significant rise in the intervention group, as compared with the control group (P < 0/0001). Conclusions: Based on our findings, social media-based training confers increased satisfaction and reduced anxiety among the family members of post-CABG patients at the ICU. © 2019, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved