Publication Details
Abstract
Background: Preoperative patient education is an essential component of nursing care. It aims to provide patients the information they need regarding the surgical procedure, preoperative preparation, and postoperative care. In addition, it improves patient understanding, reduces anxiety, and improves compliance with nursing and medical instructions. The surgical unit nurses are a key element in providing these instructions. Therefore, assessing their knowledge, practices, and factors influencing preoperative patient education is crucial for improving the quality of nursing care. Objective: This study aims to assess nurses' knowledge, practices, and factors influencing preoperative patient education. Methodology: A quantitative observational design was utilized in this study from February 2026 to August 2026. A non-probability (purposive) sampling technique was used to obtain data in the surgical units at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk City, Iraq. Sixty-one nurses were sampled. The researcher constructed a questionnaire to collect data on nurses' knowledge, practice, and factors influencing related to preoperative patient education. The study data were analyzed utilizing statistical data analysis methods in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: The results show that the majority of nurses fall within the age group of 25 to 29 years; and that three-quarters of the nurses are female. Among all participants, half had a bachelor's degree. More than a third of the nurses had 3–4 years of experience. Less than half of the sample studied participated in a training course in preoperative patient education. Nearly three-quarters of the nurses had a high level of knowledge regarding preoperative patient education. The nurses' practices regarding preoperative patient education demonstrated a moderate level. Finally, the study findings revealed that the factors influencing preoperative patient education for nurses were at a high level. Conclusions: The study concluded that most nurses possessed a high level of knowledge regarding preoperative patient education. However, their practice demonstrated a moderate level of practice. Furthermore, the factors influencing nurses' preoperative patient education were at a high level.