Ways to Enhance Patient Learning

Ways to Enhance Patient Learning

Patient Education: Health information and instruction to help Pt learn about specific or general medical topics, such as the need for preventive services, the adoption of healthy lifestyles, or the care of diseases or injuries at home. ■ Be supportive, positive, and reassuring toward the Pt. ■ Respect the Pt’s values, attitudes, and beliefs. ■ Communicate using culturally appropriate context and terms. ■ Allow Pt to express and consider their own values. ■ Involve Pt (family when appropriate) in the learning process. ■ Identify Pt’s interests and concerns with their health. ■ Assess Pt’s ability to learn and tailor an individual teaching plan accordingly. ■ Develop a learning strategy based on Pt’s own life experiences. ■ Provide information and educational material appropriate to Pt’s educational level and cognitive abilities. ■ Reinforce Pt education by providing simple-to-read, written material in addition to oral instructions. ■ Allow Pt to learn at a comfortable pace, and allow time for new information to be assimilated by Pt. ■ Allow enough time for Pt to ask questions. Answer any questions completely and thoroughly. ■ Assess efficacy of education, and identify strengths and weaknesses of Pt’s ability and willingness to learn.