Effects of skill teaching of oral administration for caregivers of hospitalized toddler on dose loss and administration behavior

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the effects of skill teaching of oral liquid medication on the dose loss and caregivers' administering behavior. Methods: A nonequivalent control group no-synchronized design was used. 104 participants were assigned to one of two groups. A intervention group received a skill teaching and the control group received the conventional teaching about oral medication. Results: The mean amount of the dose loss by all participating caregivers was 23.3% of the prescribed dose and 61.5% of the caregivers showed dose loss more than 20% of the prescribed dose. Caregivers' age (Exp=3.56, p=.017) and time taken for administration (Exp=7.97, p<.001) were related to more dose loss. Toddlers' posture sitting in a stroller upon medication (Exp=.14, p=.009) and re-administering the remains after checking the medication bottle (Exp=.22, p=.040) influenced on reduction in dose loss. Before and after the skill teaching, a significant decrease in the dose loss was found in the high-viscous liquid medication only (t=-4.95, p<.001). The difference in the dose loss between the two groups were significant in the high-viscous liquid medication (t=4.95, p<.001). Also, caregivers' administration behavior were significantly improved in the intervention group. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the skill teaching of oral liquid medication designed for toddlers' caregivers was effective in reduction of dose loss and improvement in administering behaviors with confidence.