Helping patients unders...

The public uproar over the recent recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force seems to have taken them by surprise.  Apparently, in a Gallup Poll of 1,136 women, 76% of women say they disagree or strongly disagree with their recommendations. (Source:  http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-11-24-mammogram24ONLINE_ST_N.htm) So...

Using Technology to Tea...

Have you seen videos of surgeries on YouTube?  Or a registered dietitian discussing vegetables on a podcast?  Have you heard about texting to remind patients to take their pills or measure their blood sugars? Health care is definitely delving into technology-mediated learning. ...

Active involvement teac...

New research continues to reaffirm the basic findings of evidence-based patient education.  A recent study from Sweden found that a structured patient group education is superior to written information to enhance knowledge of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and improve gastrointestinal...

When the patient and ph...

Most health care providers agree that when the patient and the physician speak different languages (officially called “patient-physician language discordance”), a language interpreter is needed to diagnose and treat with informed consent. We also know exercise, diet, and smoking...

What is that RSS orange...

Do you ever wish the stuff you want to read on the Internet would come to you, instead of you going out to find it all the time? Well, if the website you’re looking at has an orange box with RSS or a wi-fi symbol in it, you’re in luck.  RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Before...

The online future of pa...

I really enjoyed researching the Future of Patient Education for a presentation I gave recently at a national conference.  I found most trends included technology, but some did not.  The best took advantage of adult learning theory: • Adults learn best in response to a perceived...

Do you feel like you’...

Do you want to network with other health care professionals who specialize in teaching patients and families?  Do you want to learn the latest in evidence-based practice?  Do you want to find out how others have solved the problems you are now facing? Consider joining the Health...

On Sharing Prescription...

Just yesterday I heard of someone who took his prescribed TAMIFLU until he felt better, then gave the rest to his wife. Did you know that 1 in 4 people report they have “bummed medicine rather than see a health-care provider” but 1 in 3 ended up seeking medical care anyway? Did...

Reaching urban, low-inc...

Over and over again the research shows the most effective and efficient ways to teach patients and families is to involve them in the process and individualize teaching to the needs of the learner.  For example, a recent qualitative study looked at the barriers to asthma care among...

Do pediatricians think ...

A national, random sample of 1605 nonretired, American Academy of Pediatrics members were surveyed in 2007 about health literacy and patient communication. The study concluded:  ”Pediatricians are aware of health literacy–related problems and the need for good communication...