Abstract: Objective To explore the application effect of family empowerment theory in postoperative health guidance for family caregivers of patients with ileostomy. Methods A total of 74 family caregivers of patients undergoing ileostomy from August 2019 to August 2020 were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 37 cases in each group. The control group received routine health education, while the observation group health guidance intervention based on family empowerment theory. The readiness,burden and ability of family caregivers were compared between the two groups. Results After the intervention, the score of care readiness in the two groups increased when compared with those before the intervention in the same group, while the score of care burden and care ability of family caregivers decreased significantly (P<0.05). The score of care readiness in the observation group after intervention was higher than that in the control group, while the score of care burden and care ability of family caregivers in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The postoperative education mode based on family empowerment theory can effectively help the family caregivers of patients with ileostomy to improve their care ability, care preparation and positive feelings, reduce the burden and play a positive role in promoting the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with ileostomy, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Key words: ileostomy, family caregiver, family empowerment theory, health education