QR Code-Based Discharge Education and Readiness for Hospital Discharge

June 22, 2026 updated by: Kübra Yılmaz, Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Effect of QR Code-Based Discharge Education on Patient Satisfaction and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Following Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effective discharge education is essential for patients undergoing thyroidectomy due to potential postoperative complications and the need for adequate self-care after discharge. Traditional verbal education may be insufficient because patients may forget important information after hospitalization. QR code-supported educational materials provide continuous access to standardized information and may improve patient outcomes.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of QR code-based discharge education on patient satisfaction and readiness for hospital discharge among patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

A randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the endocrine surgery clinic of a tertiary hospital. Patients scheduled for thyroidectomy will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The control group will receive routine discharge education according to hospital procedures. In addition to routine discharge education, the intervention group will receive access to a QR code-linked educational video containing information about wound care, medication management, nutrition, potential complications, infection prevention, follow-up visits, and pain management. Data will be collected using a Patient Information Form, the Surgical Patient Discharge Education Satisfaction Scale, and the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-Short Form. Outcomes will be compared between groups using appropriate statistical analyses.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The thyroid gland is an essential endocrine organ responsible for regulating cellular metabolism through the secretion of thyroid hormones. Thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine diseases worldwide and frequently require surgical intervention. Thyroidectomy is indicated for various benign and malignant thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, compressive symptoms, and cosmetic concerns. Although thyroidectomy is generally considered a safe surgical procedure, patients remain at risk for postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, hematoma, hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, wound complications, infection, and pain. Therefore, adequate patient education before discharge is critical to ensure effective self-management and early recognition of complications.

Recent developments in surgical care, including Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, emphasize the importance of patient engagement and education throughout the perioperative period. Discharge education plays a crucial role in preparing patients for self-care after hospitalization and may positively influence recovery outcomes, patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and healthcare utilization. Traditional discharge education is commonly delivered verbally by healthcare professionals; however, patients may have difficulty retaining information because of postoperative stress, anxiety, fatigue, or limited interaction time with healthcare providers.

Digital health technologies have emerged as innovative tools to support patient education and improve access to healthcare information. QR (Quick Response) code technology allows patients to access educational materials quickly and repeatedly using their smartphones. Video-based educational content accessed through QR codes may enhance understanding and retention of information by combining visual and auditory learning methods. Furthermore, QR code-supported education enables patients to review discharge instructions whenever needed after returning home, thereby reinforcing learning and supporting self-care behaviors.

Although previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of various educational methods, including written materials, telephone counseling, teleconferencing, and visual educational tools, evidence regarding QR code-based discharge education remains limited. Existing studies suggest that technology-assisted education may improve patient knowledge, self-care abilities, quality of life, and satisfaction with healthcare services. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the effectiveness of QR code-supported discharge education among thyroidectomy patients.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of QR code-based discharge education on discharge readiness and satisfaction among patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Both groups will receive routine discharge education according to institutional standards. In addition, participants in the intervention group will receive access to a QR code-linked educational video specifically developed for thyroidectomy patients. The educational content will include postoperative wound care, medication management, nutrition and dietary recommendations, pain management, prevention and recognition of complications, infection prevention measures, and follow-up care instructions.

Following completion of the educational intervention, participants will complete a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Surgical Patient Discharge Education Satisfaction Scale, and the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-Short Form. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control groups to determine whether QR code-supported education improves patient satisfaction and readiness for discharge.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence regarding digital health interventions in surgical nursing practice. If proven effective, QR code-based discharge education may represent a practical, low-cost, and easily accessible educational strategy that can be integrated into routine discharge planning for thyroidectomy patients and other surgical populations.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

192

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Ankara
      • Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye), 06010
        • Ankara Yildirim Beyazit Üniversitesi

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria

Age ≥18 years Undergoing thyroidectomy Able to communicate in Turkish Willing to participate and provide informed consent Owns a smartphone capable of accessing QR code content

Exclusion Criteria

Refusal to participate Cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion Lack of access to a smartphone or inability to use QR code technology

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: QR Code-Based Discharge Education
Participants will receive routine discharge education and access to a QR code-linked educational video developed for thyroidectomy patients. The video includes information regarding wound care, medication management, nutrition, postoperative complications, infection prevention, pain management, and follow-up care.
Other: QR Code-Based Discharge Education

Participants in the intervention group will receive standard discharge education provided by clinical nurses according to hospital routine procedures. In addition, they will be given access to a QR code-linked digital educational intervention designed specifically for patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

The QR code will be provided to patients before discharge and will direct them to an offline-accessible video-based educational module. Patients will be instructed on how to scan the QR code using their smartphones. The educational video can be accessed repeatedly both during hospitalization and after discharge.

Patients will be encouraged to review the video at least once before discharge and to re-access it at home whenever needed for reinforcement of learning.
No Intervention: Control group
Participants will receive standard discharge education routinely provided by the hospital according to institutional procedures.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Readiness for Hospital Discharge
Time Frame: Within 24 hours prior to hospital discharge.
Comparison of discharge readiness scores between intervention and control groups.Data will be collected using the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-Short Form.
Within 24 hours prior to hospital discharge.
Satisfaction with Discharge Education
Time Frame: Immediately after completion of the discharge education session and within 24 hours prior to hospital discharge.
Comparison of satisfaction levels regarding discharge education between groups.Data will collect with Surgical Patient Discharge Education Satisfaction Scale.
Immediately after completion of the discharge education session and within 24 hours prior to hospital discharge.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 13, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 14, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 14, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 31, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 22, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 22, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • QRCode-BasedDischargeEducation

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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