QR Code-Based Discharge Education and Readiness for Hospital Discharge

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.