A Patient / Family Care Study on Peptic Ulcer Disease

Abstract

Nursing is a professional that is directed towards the promotion and maintenance of health as well as treatment and prevention of diseases and the restoration of optimal functioning of the individual, family, and communities. To be able to meet the various needs of patients and family, and thus give quality care to them, nursing care has moved from a task-oriented approach to giving total or individualized care involving both patient and family. Patient and family care study forms part of the practical syllabus of the nursing and midwifery council. It is done as a requisite and a compulsory study that every final year student diploma nurse executes and presents to the nursing and midwifery council of Ghana for an award in diploma nursing. The patient and family care study form part of the academic program for Diploma Nursing students which requires the student to carry out total nursing care to the patient and his family from the time of admission to time of discharge including home care. It takes into account the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. The study helps the patient /family to comprehend and gain insight into the condition and improve upon their health status through the practice and health education received throughout their interaction with the student nurse. The study also equips the student nurse with practical skills on the condition and allows him to practice the knowledge and skills acquired during his training to give comprehensive care using the nursing process approach. Finally, the care study serves as an evaluation tool by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana for assessing and awarding the student nurse with the registered general nursing certificate to practice at the end of her training. The study will use initials instead of the patient’s name to ensure confidentiality.