1. Partnership for Patients
Teach-back Basics
100 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 360 • Des Moines, IA
Office: • Fax:

2. Objectives Define teach-back and key components
Upon completion of the teach-back training, participants will be prepared to :
Define teach-back and key components
Explain the value of teach-back in improving patient care
Apply knowledge and skills to conduct teach-back throughout patient care

3. What is Teach-back?
Teach-back is a simple mechanism by which a patient’s understanding of a concept or topic may be assessed. It can be used to teach concepts as well as techniques.

4. Who?
Should be used with every patient; never assume literacy or health literacy
All staff should know how to do it and use it whenever critical information is being communicated to the patient and/or family member
Is NOT a test of the patient but rather a test of how well you explained a concept

5. Why? We remember: 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
80% of what we say
90% of what we say and apply
“What I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; but what I do I understand”
- Confucius in 451 B.C.

6. Teach-back is supported by research
Studies have demonstrated that patients recall and comprehend as little as 50% of what they are told by their physicians.
-Schillinger, Arch Intern Med/Vo640 l 163, Jan 13, 2003, “Closing the Loop”
In some disease conditions, more than 40% of patients sustain significant risks by misunderstanding, forgetting, or ignoring healthcare advice.
Roter DL. The outpatient medical encounter and elderly patients. Clin Geriatr Med. 2000;1695-
Asking patients to recall and restate what they have been told, is one of the 11 top patient safety practices.
-AHRQ, 2001 Report, Making Health Care Safer
Not only is teach-back a good thing to do, it is supported by research. In fact, many studies have shown that patients recall as little as 50% of what they are told. This can lead to increased risk for the patient if they don’t understand.

7. When? Every patient, every time Whenever teaching new concepts
After re-teaching using a different method
Throughout the patient’s hospital stay

8. How? Do not ask a patient, “Do you understand?”
Ask patients to explain or demonstrate
Ask open-ended questions
Do not ask yes/no questions
Re-teach in a different way

9. Additional Tips for Teach-back:
Slow down
Use a caring tone of voice and attitude
Use plain language; simple words
Avoid using medical jargon
Focus on the 2 or 3 most important concepts.
Break it down into short statements (chunk & check)
Highlight or circle key information

10. Use teach-back to close
the communication loop

11. “If they don’t do what we want, we haven’t given them the right information.”
-Vice Admiral Richard Carmona
Former Surgeon General

12. References: Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership (MHLP)
American Medical Association (AMA)
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Institute for HealthCare Improvement