An Evaluative Study of Video Assisted Teaching Module (VATM) on Homecare of Schizophrenic Patients Developed for Primary Caregivers at Mangaluru

Background: An estimated 24 million (1%) people worldwide suffer from schizophrenia. It is a severe disorder that is characterized by distortions in thinking and perception and by inappropriate emotions. Schizophrenia not only influences the lives of those affected, but also those around them especially their caregivers. In India, families represent the key resource person in the care of patient with schizophrenia and their role is core in treating mentally ill. It has been estimated across studies that 30-85% of adults with schizophrenia have a family member as a caregiver. Recent trends point towards a community-based care for persons with schizophrenia where family members would assist with the care of these patients. Hence, as an investigator felt the need of an evaluative study of Video Assisted Teaching Module (VATM) on Home care of schizophrenia patients developed for primary caregivers in selected hospitals.

Methodology: True experimental research design with an evaluative approach was used for the present study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the samples and assigned as experimental and control group by means of lottery method. The researcher developed a Video Assisted Teaching Module on homecare of schizophrenic patients to evaluate its effectiveness. The data was collected through the structured closed ended questionnaire i.e. knowledge questionnaire on home care (KQHS), caregivers attitude scale on homecare of schizophrenics (CASHS) and Caregivers skill scale on homecare of schizophrenics (CSSHS).

Findings: The mean values of knowledge, attitude and skill have increased in experimental group than that of control group after implementation of VATM. In the experimental group, highly significant difference was found in ANOVA for repeated measures shows that there was significant increase from the mean pretest to consequent post-tests (post-test one, post-test two and post-test three) knowledge scores (F=386.44, p<0.01), attitude scores(F=16.03, p<0.01), and skill scores(F=330.73, p<0.01).The Bonferroni test findings showed that there was significant difference (p<0.01). This indicates significant improvement in knowledge, attitude, and skill score among the experimental group. Therefore, it can be concluded that VATM was effective.

Interpretation and Conclusion: The findings of the study reveal that there was highly significant increase in the knowledge, attitude and skill of primary caregivers on homecare of schizophrenic patients. Hence, it is concluded that VATM is highly effective in improving the knowledge, attitude and skill of primary caregivers on homecare of schizophrenic patients.