Patient education is the process by which a health professional and some individuals may impart relevant information to patients that will alter their health behaviors or maybe improve it. Education providers are often physicians, pharmacists, registered nurse, dietitians, psychologists and some other interest groups. It is a helpful tool that is used to manage care plans which include general and preventive education of some diseases and conditions.
Provide each patient with some instructions and materials that are necessary for his age, cultural beliefs, experience and understanding. For patients that are illiterate, consider using some visual aids. You may also conduct hands on activities instead for using some wordy pamphlets or brochures. A group discussion may also be helpful.
You should also consider all the possible barriers that might hinder the entire learning process. Create simple plans that might help them overcome such hindrance. These barriers might be due to financial matters, illiteracy, lack of motivation and other misconceptions regarding their conditions and how they are treated. Always make them feel comfortable and make them open to learning new things.
If possible, give out counseling and other educational materials that may cater a wide range of topics that are essential to all their needs and concerns. You may discuss the different ways to manage a chronic disease as well. Upon teaching them with such topics, you could also help them in improving their health and minimize the total cost for their healthcare.
Allow them to ask more questions and make sure to answer them with relevant answers. In events that you are handling acute sickness, prepare them for the possible symptoms and all the effects it may bring especially during treatment and examination. Distinguish all of the hindrances that could stop the treatment plan and always have the right solution for it.
Determine their behaviors through conducting interviews and some health appraisals. Be aware of some emerging technologies as well. Consider how it might be useful to provide proper education and counseling and at the same time, know how it might help them with their present conditions. You might as well ask them on what actions they are taking to help their condition. Put them on the spot and know why they are not doing it.
Always keep your talk simple. Educate them by simply demonstrating. You will further gain their trust and compliance by making them understand. Do not be drained by inquisitive patients. It is unprofessional to allow them to monopolize all your time for unnecessary talks. Provide them with the best lesson that you can ever show.
You should always act as if you are dictating the realities of health. Your words will definitely be creating the reality about their conditions. Their impression about you would rely on how well do you deliver such talks. Always refer complex issues to people who are expert regarding the domain to avoid misconceptions afterwards.
If you are creating a long term method for any chronic illness, make sure to give out manageable information over time. Allow them to get involved in making goals and provide them with the necessary feedbacks regarding their progress. Create system that will ease the use of patient education materials and hire some staff that could assist you.
