Comments on: Is patient education invisible? http://notimetoteach.com/2009/is-patient-education-invisible/ The Essence of Patient and Family Education for Health Care Providers by Fran London, MS, RN Tue, 15 May 2012 19:04:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Joan Totka http://notimetoteach.com/2009/is-patient-education-invisible/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Joan Totka Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:41:09 +0000 http://notimetoteach.com/?p=119#comment-54 I've often felt that patient education is invisible not only for the important reasons that you shared already but because we are not intentional enough when we teach and families don't realize that they're even being taught. Many families feel it's the physican who did the teaching because when they are in there the information is imparted formally. Nurses often teach informally and conversationally. This is a great way to build rapport, but could be better if what was added to that conversation is a tagline like, "the reason I'm telling you this is because I want you to understand why, or what you need to (fill in the blank) for your child at home. Can you tell me what you heard so that I know that I did a good job?" This way not only did you flag the teaching, but you tested for understanding and health literacy at the same time. I’ve often felt that patient education is invisible not only for the important reasons that you shared already but because we are not intentional enough when we teach and families don’t realize that they’re even being taught.
Many families feel it’s the physican who did the teaching because when they are in there the information is imparted formally. Nurses often teach informally and conversationally. This is a great way to build rapport, but could be better if what was added to that conversation is a tagline like, “the reason I’m telling you this is because I want you to understand why, or what you need to (fill in the blank) for your child at home. Can you tell me what you heard so that I know that I did a good job?” This way not only did you flag the teaching, but you tested for understanding and health literacy at the same time.

]]> By: Amy http://notimetoteach.com/2009/is-patient-education-invisible/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Amy Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:39:52 +0000 http://notimetoteach.com/?p=119#comment-51 "They need to know how to recognize problems, and respond." Well said, Fran. I just read an article online the other day about a mom in Arizona that was mistakenly given a CT scan while she was pregnant, and now the family suspects that the child is having growth issues because of it. The mom described how she never questioned her caregivers in the hospital because she trusted that they knew what they were doing! Where was the education prior to the procedure, about what the CT scan was, and why it was needed? If this info had been shared with the mom, she likely would have realized that the procedure was intended for another person, and it could have empowered her to speak up. This is what I thought of when you said in your blog "to imagine what a health care encounter would look like with no patient education." Patient education not only helps people learn and practice self-care, but helps them to become better advocates for themselves, and better partners in their own care when they need to seek out health care services. “They need to know how to recognize problems, and respond.”

Well said, Fran. I just read an article online the other day about a mom in Arizona that was mistakenly given a CT scan while she was pregnant, and now the family suspects that the child is having growth issues because of it. The mom described how she never questioned her caregivers in the hospital because she trusted that they knew what they were doing! Where was the education prior to the procedure, about what the CT scan was, and why it was needed? If this info had been shared with the mom, she likely would have realized that the procedure was intended for another person, and it could have empowered her to speak up. This is what I thought of when you said in your blog “to imagine what a health care encounter would look like with no patient education.”

Patient education not only helps people learn and practice self-care, but helps them to become better advocates for themselves, and better partners in their own care when they need to seek out health care services.

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