Chapter 55: Patient Education Professor Fowler 2nd Edition

Introduction One of the patient’s rights is to receive instruction on how they can manage their own health needs

Patient Education MA must be prepared to educate the patient on behavior that might improve the patient’s health, prepare the patient for a procedure, improve patient compliance on therapy or medication or educate the patient about their own health behaviors Assessment: evaluation of the patient’s needs Plan: determine how to begin the task of teaching Implementing: actually teaching the patient what to do (put into action) Document: chart the teaching in medical record to ensure continuity of care Evaluation: ask patient how the plan is going

How Adults Learn Procedures 55-1 and 55-2 (brochure projects) Learning outcomes: goals of patient education – what the patient will achieve as result of teaching Adults prefer group settings Learning new material is facilitated when reinforced by known material Motivational incentives

Teaching Methods and Strategies – Roadblocks to Learning Ordering, commanding and directing the patient to learn Warning or threatening Moralizing or preaching (“should do”) Judging Criticizing Name calling, stereotyping, labeling Sarcasm Anxiety Culturally inappropriate treatment plans Speaking loudly to a blind person Age-inappropriate speech

Teaching Methods and Strategies Remember their cultural influences as well Use of personal space Teaching the Older Adult Distances maintained Dexterity: ability to use hands effectively Facial expressions Explore past experiences Body movements Slowed process time Gestures Decreased short-term memory Expressions Decreased dexterity Learning Readiness Increased anxiety about new situations Table 55-1 pages 1269-1271 Patient Teaching Methods* Box 55-1 page 1271 Tips for clear writing Guidelines 55-1 1272 Effective Health Instruction Teaching Children Teaching materials tailored to them (coloring books, stickers for reward, treatment on doll, touching equipment to be used for procedure, videos) Procedure 55-3 Instructing Patients According to their Needs for Health Maintenance and Promotion (post-op project) Teaching Patients with Disabilities and Special Needs Adapted to each patient

Developing a Teaching Plan Patient Issues An effective teaching plan for both adult and child must include desired outcomes Patient Issues Box 55-2 page 1274 Sample Teaching Plan for HTN Some issues can make educating patients challenging Skills and abilities Learning Environment Culture Well-lit room Finances Privacy Health beliefs Equipment available to show Medication errors   Noncompliance Teaching Resources Can be DVD, CD, videos pamphlets Patient Skills and Abilities Table 55-2 page 1276 Reputable Websites for Patient Education

Culture and Patient Education Handling Non-Compliance Age Handling Non-Compliance Gender Noncompliance: not following physician orders Little control over health or great deal of control Lack of compliance may be due to failure to take medication as ordered, failure to return for follow-up appts, failure to practice dietary changes and failure to follow an exercise program Family Religious beliefs Impact of Finances on Patient Education One of the best methods for encouraging patient compliance is to convey the knowledge they need to make educated decisions about their health care Preventive Medicine Table 55-3 page 1276 Common Risk Factors Exhibited by Patients They must want to comply Preventing Medication Errors Medication errors are the fifth leading cause of death in the US

Health and Wellness Teaching the Patient Mind-Body Connection Wellness: ongoing process of practicing a healthy lifestyle Teaching about Pain Acute pain: short term intense pain Role modeling is important Chronic pain: long term, aching pain Table 55-5 page 1278 wellness guidelines Effects: anger, helplessness, sadness, depression, decreased activity, decreased sleep, increased irritability, fatigue, chemical and/or medication dependency, mood swings, lowered self-esteem, and impaired ability to handle stress Mind-Body Connection Refers to the fact that the way a patient thinks and feels affects the body’s wellness Pain scale Pain faces Endorphins release when happy which have analgesic properties, benefit physical functioning and boost immunity Teaching about Nutrition and Weight Loss Teaching About Exercise Negative feelings (fear, anger grieving) can increase heart rate, tighten muscles and a fight-or-flight response Teaching Stress Reduction Teaching about Smoking and Substance Abuse   Teaching about Cast Care Applying a cast Home care for a cast Removing a cast