Effectiveness of Education and Mobile Application for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Care

This study is designed to improve the caregiving practices of individuals who are responsible for patients receiving long-term enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The study is structured in three phases: (1) identification of caregivers' needs through descriptive and qualitative assessments, (2) development of a theory-based structured education program and a mobile application, and (3) implementation and evaluation of the intervention using a mixed-methods design.

In the first phase, caregivers' knowledge gaps, challenges, and educational needs will be identified through a needs assessment that includes questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. In the second phase, based on the findings of the initial assessment and supported by current clinical guidelines and national health policies, a structured education program and a digital support tool (mobile app) will be developed. The educational content will cover PEG fundamentals, stoma care, tube cleaning, enteral feeding, medication administration via PEG, complication management, and psychosocial support. Educational materials will include videos, animations, texts, and interactive quizzes, and the mobile app will allow asynchronous learning and monitoring.

In the third phase, the education program will be delivered through in-person theoretical and practical sessions, followed by the use of the mobile application. Outcome measures will include caregivers' knowledge level, caregiving burden, self-reported practices, and satisfaction with the intervention. Quantitative data will be collected using validated measurement tools, and qualitative feedback will be gathered to provide a deeper understanding of the intervention's impact. This study is expected to support the standardization of home PEG care and enhance caregiver capacity through sustainable and scalable educational interventions.