Getting Better at Patient Education

Patient education is a critical skill in the healthcare industry.  Nurses are responsible for teaching patients about their conditions, medications, self-care, symptoms and so much more.  The effectiveness of your teaching depends on the structure of your teaching. 

If you are a home care nurse, make sure that the sources you are using are valid.  Sources that are considered valid in nursing include the following:

• Published within five years of the current date.
• Published research by verifiable sources.
• Make sure the sources are valid and use the best sources available. 

According to the Health Care Education Association, there are four critical parts of patient education which include:

1. Assessment
2. Planning
3. Implementation
4. Evaluation

Assessment 

The first part of the assessment portion of patient education includes addressing barriers, identifying support structures, and identifying the culture, values, and beliefs of individuals.  This is critical because certain cultures may value certain things over other things.  The assessment also includes learning needs, assessing the patient’s engagement, and assessing the way the patient learns. 

Planning

Planning is where you plan strategies based on what you assessed in the previous step.  Make sure that you are addressing all the areas that need to be addressed and plan accordingly.  Decide on priorities, how you are going to teach those skills (what the most effective strategy is), and teaching activities to verify that the patient understands the teaching.

To ensure adequate teaching, patient education materials should be published and taught at an eighth-grade reading level.  You should use the technical terms in your teaching but explain what they mean.  Patients may not have heard that term before, particularly if it is a new condition.

Implementation

Time to put your plan into action.  Once you have gathered your materials, print outs and have a plan, it is time to sit down with the patient.

• Use plain and easy-to-understand language.
• Listen and respond (active listening skills).
• Do not talk down to the patient or make them feel stupid.
• For big topics, break the subjects down into segments. People only can retain so much information.
• Allow for adjustments in your plan. Be flexible. 

Evaluation 

This is an important part of the teaching process.  Make sure your patient understood the teaching.  There are methods of evaluating this, they are: 

• Teach back – the client teaches you what you just taught them.
• Demonstration – the client demonstrates the skill for you.

Also, be sure to follow up and note when the patient has had successful teaching moments that have improved their outcomes.

Resources:

Five strategies for providing effective patient education. Back to top. (n.d.). https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/5-strategies-for-providing-effective-patient-education

Mayo, J. (n.d.). Patient education practice guidelines for health care professionals. Home. https://www.hcea-info.org/patient-education-practice-guidelines-for-health-care-professionals#:~:text=The%20guidelines%20are%20based%20on,skipped%20or%20receive%20lesser%20attention.