Videos to improve the skills and knowledge of stroke patients' caregivers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of educational videos to improve the practical skills and knowledge of stroke patients' informal caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pretest/posttest study. The participants were 10 caregivers aged 18 to 65 years and of both sexes of patients in the subacute phase of stroke. We developed eight educational videos related to positioning, mobilizations and transfers, which were implemented in the caregivers' and/or patients' homes along three days (on the first day, three videos; second day, three videos; and third day, two videos). Each video was viewed on a tablet for 30 minutes. We evaluated skills and knowledge before and after each video, and finally, the caregivers' satisfaction. We used three instruments, a checklist to assess practical skills, a questionnaire to assess knowledge, and another for satisfaction. RESULTS: The practical skills score increased from 21,6 to 56,1 points (p <0,001) and knowledge from 11,6 to 21,6 points (p <0,001). 7/10 of the caregivers were very satisfied with the videos, 7/10 considered the words easy, 7/10 considered easy to put the indications into practice, 9/10 would definitely recommend the videos, and everyone considered them useful. CONCLUSION: Educational videos improve the practical skills and knowledge of stroke informal caregivers. Developed educational videos could be successful in training caregivers on the management of these patients.