Introduction to Patient Education Purpose: Promote patient’s ability to a.Understand the hospital environment b.Independently meet their own health needs

The Teaching Team Health care is delivered by a team of health care providers – more than doctors and nurses, the team includes: MD, RN, LPN, CNA, OT, PT, Pharmacists, Respiratory therapist, Radiology department, Social Worker Everyone on this team also has a role in informing the patient of the care that is being administered

Two Forms Of Teaching Informal Teaching: Unplanned occurs spontaneously, usually discussions at the patient bedside Formal Teaching: Requires a plan organized arrangement of content in a specific time frame, with printed materials or ‘lessons’

When? Because of limited hospitalization time, staff must begin teaching clients immediately after admission This means that INFORMAL TEACHING is the most commonly used, and should not be overlooked

Teaching Assessment Prior to teaching, the nurse should assess the patient’s: learning style, (reading, watching, performing, discussion?) learning needs, (medication, physical therapy) learning capacity, (competence, awareness) motivation, (urgency of learning, potential benefits) learning readiness (denial, wish to die)

Formal Education: Following a Plan Determine Objectives What do you want patient to learn? Implement it gradually & sequentially Must avoid overwhelming the client with new information or skills that are difficult to perform

General patient education topics Universal Orientation to room, Staff roles, Safety/Fall precautions, How to request assistance Patient Specific Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatment, Medication action, Side effects, Different labs and other tests (What are they and why are they needed?), Resources available

Who Benefits? Patients helps patients feel more comfortable with the things that are going on around them Staff helps staff review common and new practices on a daily basis, becoming more proficient

T.E.A.C.H. T = Tune into the patient E = Explore the patients concerns, preferences, needs A = Assist patient with behavior changes C = Communicate effectively H = Honor the patient as a partner