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Purpose: The major cause of morbidity in hemodialysis patients is arteriovenous fistula deficiency. The patient should have adequate knowledge to ensure arteriovenous fistula patency. Our aim is to investigate the knowledge and attitude of the patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment regarding arteriovenous fistula., Methods: This study was conducted on 335 patients who met the study criteria. Data collection forms evaluating the "Socio-Demographic and Medical Characteristics" and "Knowledge and Attitudes about arteriovenous fistula" of the patients were developed following a literature review by the investigators., Results: The rules most known and implemented were "to not measure blood pressure" and "to not draw blood from arms with fistula", while the least known and implemented were "to use blood vessels on the hands in arms without fistula for intravenous intervention" and "to know which situations cause hypotension"., Conclusions: Hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas need to know that developing self-care behavior is a means to reconcile lifestyles with current health status. Accordingly, planned training in self-care should be provided to hemodialysis patients and their families, and nurses should repeat information to patients who demonstrate a lack of knowledge.

Aims and Objectives: To determine the experiences, problems and the need for care and education of implantable cardioverter defibrillator-implanted patients and to assess the effects of an education and nurse follow-up programme on their quality of life, anxiety, depression and knowledge level., Background: Although implantable cardioverter defibrillator has become a well-established therapy for people experiencing potentially lethal dysrhythmias, implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients may have physical and psychosocial problems due to the implantation. Applying a planning education and follow-up programme to implantable cardioverter defibrillator-implanted patients may prevent the need for more intensive treatment during the postimplantation period., Design: A mixed methods design that used both qualitative and quantitative data collections and analysis was used for this study., Methods: The study was performed in the cardiology department in Turkey between 2009-2010. The data were collected using the 'Semi-Structured Interview Form', 'Form for Assessment of Patients' Knowledge Level about implantable cardioverter defibrillator', 'Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory', 'Beck Depression Inventory II' and 'The Short-Form 36 Health Survey'. All forms were completed at the beginning of the study and at six months. The study included 27 patients in the experimental group and 27 patients in the control group., Results: The results showed that the patients were living with various physical and psychosocial problems and insufficient knowledge regarding the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Education and follow-up programme increased knowledge levels, decreased anxiety and depression scores and improved several subscales of quality of life in the experimental group patients., Conclusion: It was recommended that education and follow-up programme be used for patients scheduled to undergo implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, starting before implantation and continuing thereafter, to help patients adapt to a life with implantable cardioverter defibrillator., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Planned education and follow-up programme conducted by nurses may improve the knowledge levels and quality of life, anxiety and depression scores of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator-implanted patients., (© 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)