1. 56
Patient Education
Lesson 2:

2. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to:
Define and spell the terms to learn for this chapter.
Discuss how you would adapt education for patients with hearing impairments, patients who do not see well, or those who do not speak English.

3. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to:
Describe how you would adapt education for culturally based needs.
Discuss some of the reasons for noncompliance with patient education.

4. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching Children
Children have special educational needs
Should not be treated as small adults expected to remember and process information above their level of learning

5. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching Children
Patient education modified to appropriate developmental stage
Coloring books used to teach concepts
Stickers can be given to reward children

6. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching Children
May need to see treatment or procedure performed on doll before tolerating it well
Many children like to touch equipment that will be used on them
Older children may like to see videos about surgery or other treatment they are expecting to have

7. FIGURE Children will feel more at ease and have a better learning experience if they are allowed to touch and feel certain items and have pretend play. Glow Images/Getty Images

8. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching Children
As children age, they should be included in discussions and decision making about their health care
Important to direct education to both child and caregiver/parent
Always make sure caregivers have complete understanding of the needs related to caring for child's health needs

9. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
The Hearing-Impaired Patient
Frequently read lips
Face patient and speak slowly
Don't speak so slowly that it is insulting to patient
Do not stand with your back to a window or light source
Remove barriers or face masks

10. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
The Hearing-Impaired Patient
You may need to hire interpreter for a deaf patient
For patients hard of hearing, helpful to get a microphone to boost volume of your voice
Always be mindful of patient's right to privacy
Provide detailed and specific written instructions

11. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
The Visually-Impaired Patient
May not be able to read written instructions unless type is very large
Some will not be able to read at all
Make audio-recorded instructions of information that is usually written

12. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
The Visually-Impaired Patient
Clear clutter from office and hallways that might impede the patient
Ask if he or she would like a guiding arm while navigating the examination room

13. FIGURE Digital recording devices can be helpful when providing patient education to visually impaired patients. Paul Velgos/Getty Images

14. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Patients who have developmental delays or are mentally challenged may have trouble understanding complex or multiple-step patient education and instruction

15. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
You may need to instruct caregiver instead or to give patient simplified, pictorial directions

16. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Important to read body language and nonverbal cues displayed by patients and family members
Make appropriate references and eye contact with both patient and caregiver, showing that you value and appreciate them both

17. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Often illiterate patients will not volunteer this information because they are embarrassed
Be alert to behaviors that might indicate someone has difficulty reading and writing

18. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Provide patient with printed instructions and highlight or underline especially important information

19. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Advanced notice and preparations can be made for non–English-speaking patient at time patient's appointment is scheduled

20. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Developmental Delays, Mental Challenges, Illiteracy, Language Barriers
Often, patient prefers to bring a relative who speaks English
Necessary to obtain patient's written permission to discuss health information with interpreting relative

21. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching the Older Adults
Slower processing of new material
Decreased short-term memory
Decreased dexterity
Increased anxiety over new situations
Able to learn quickly if learning requires information acquired in the past

22. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Teaching the Older Adults
Handouts with large print
Video and audio displays
Role-playing
Family members should be included in teaching process

23. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Slowed Processing Time
Older patients need more time to think through and absorb new information
Break down information into small units
Give written instructions so patient can process instructions more slowly later

24. FIGURE 56-5 Written materials can be helpful for the older adult
FIGURE Written materials can be helpful for the older adult. Chris Schmidt/Getty Images

25. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Decreased Short-Term Memory
Older adult patient may have difficulty remembering newly acquired information
Learning becomes very frustrating

26. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Decreased Short-Term Memory
Devise methods to reinforce instruction or prod the memory
New information linked to well-known past experience when possible
Reinforce old ways of doing things rather than introducing new behavior

27. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Decreased Mobility and Dexterity
Some elderly patients not physically able to do same things they could when younger
Find less demanding forms of exercise

28. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Decreased Mobility and Dexterity
Some tasks requiring small muscle dexterity almost impossible for elderly person with arthritis
Be aware of adaptive equipment and assistive devices

29. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Increased Anxiety about New Situations
Many changes occur in the lives of the elderly
All of these circumstances can cause anxiety for the patient

30. Patient Education: Meeting Patient Needs
Increased Anxiety about New Situations
Help them by encouraging and building their confidence levels
Practice positive reinforcement
Provide encouragement when they display understanding of a new concept

31. Patient Considerations
Culture and Patient Education
Cultural expectations can interfere with teaching
Best way to find out about patient's culture is to ask the patient
Make every attempt to respect wishes of the patient while not taking personal offense if someone else will make patient feel more comfortable

32. Patient Considerations
Culture and Patient Education
Cultural beliefs can impact patient's health care
Some cultures believe they have little control over their health
Others assume a great deal of control over balance in health
Family members may be important part of the treatment team in many cultures

33. Patient Considerations
Culture and Patient Education
Religious beliefs impact health and encompass cultural differences
Ask patient if special religious beliefs could interfere with ability to comply with treatment
Or if special considerations need to be made to comply with religious and cultural beliefs before or following a procedure

34. Patient Considerations
Impact of Finances on Patient Education
Finances can have huge impact on patient
Creating an environment in which patient is free to share monetary information without shame will help patient to be more open and create a trusting rapport

35. Patient Considerations
Impact of Finances on Patient Education
Create a list of local resources that can help patients who need financial assistance
Provide information in a discreet and nonjudgmental manner

36. Patient Considerations
Preventive Medicine
Many illnesses related to lifestyle behaviors
Routine immunization and diagnostic tests can prevent diseases
Educate patient about preventive medicine and importance of a healthy lifestyle

37. Patient Considerations
Common Risk Factors
Smoking or tobacco product use
Poor physical fitness
High alcohol intake
Poor diet and nutrition

38. Patient Considerations
Common Risk Factors
Disregarding auto safety measures
High stress level
Occupational health and environmental hazards
Drug abuse

39. Patient Considerations
Common Risk Factors
Lack of immunizations
Poor dental care
High or very low blood pressure
Family history of cancer, heart attack, stroke, or diabetes

40. Patient Considerations
Common Risk Factors
Unsafe sexual practices
High or very low heart rate
Unhealthy body mass index (BMI)
Risk-taking behavior

41. Patient Considerations
Preventing Medication Errors
Ensure patients are given correct medication during administration
Properly document in patient's health record

42. Patient Considerations
Preventing Medication Errors
Speak up whenever you have doubts about a patient receiving the correct medication
Patient should ask pharmacist if correct medication was dispensed

43. FIGURE A pharmacist can explain to a patient why medication may look different and ensure the correct medication has been dispensed. Steve Cole/Getty Images

44. Patient Considerations
Handling Noncompliance
Noncompliance: not following physician's orders
Can seriously jeopardize a patient's health and recovery
Health care costs escalate because disease processes progress and worsen, leading to other health complications

45. Patient Considerations
Lack of compliance indicated by failure to:
Take medication as ordered
Return for follow-up appointments
Practice dietary changes
Follow an exercise program

46. Patient Considerations
Handling Noncompliance
Convey to patients the knowledge they need to make educated decisions about health care
Patient must also want to comply

47. Patient Considerations
Handling Noncompliance
Work out follow-up plan that includes regular evaluation of progress
Include objective stating what patient should be able to do, along with a date indicating when objective should be accomplished

48. Health and Wellness
Wellness is ongoing process of practicing a healthy lifestyle
Balancing physical and psychologic stress and reducing overreaction to stressors can improve wellness
Role-modeling healthy behaviors is important
Positive reinforcement when a patient performs can be very powerful

49. Health and Wellness Wellness Guidelines Keep a positive attitude
Cherish your values
Exercise your mind, body, and spirit
Control your stress
Soothe your fears
Think happy thoughts
Stay active
Challenge your mind

50. Health and Wellness Wellness Guidelines Forgive and forget
Avoid dangerous drugs
Watch your sugar intake
Walk briskly
Enjoy the outdoors
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a well-balanced diet

51. Health and Wellness Wellness Guidelines
Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables before eating
Practice cleanliness
Take medications as directed
Stop smoking
Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol
Learn to breathe deeply

52. Health and Wellness Mind-Body Connection
Refers to fact that the way patient thinks and feels affects body's wellness
Endorphins released when patients are happy
These proteins have analgesic properties, benefit physical functioning, and boost immunity to disease

53. Health and Wellness Mind-Body Connection
Negative feelings such as fear, anger, and grieving can cause increased heart rate, tightened muscles, fight-or-flight response
Assist patient to release or cope with negative emotions to promote healing

54. Health and Wellness Mind-Body Connection
Attitudes and illness have powerful impacts on learning readiness
Be alert to clues regarding patient's mental readiness and overall health

55. Questions? 55