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January 2006

Patient Education

Patient education has long been an important aspect of health care. It is supported by national and specialty organizations, such as the American Nurses Association, and accreditation agencies, such as The Joint Commission. According to a study completed by Alvernia College, “Since 1983, with prospective payment and shortened hospital stays, patients are discharged from hospitals quicker and sicker.” In addition to meeting the acute needs of the patient and providing support to the patient’s caregiver, home care nurses are also playing an important role in educating the patient. Some of the challenges home care agencies face include limited availability of comprehensive patient education material and lack of material geared toward care in the home.

All agencies are motivated to empower patients in managing care while in their home environments. Considering the challenges, here are a few things agencies need to consider when selecting patient education material: 1) materials should be easy to read. As the average age of a home care patient creeps higher and higher, the materials need to have easy-to-read, large print; 2) most patients are not familiar with medical terminology. Therefore, materials should be written in simple terms using basic vocabulary; 3) follow-up with the patient and his or her caregiver may not always occur face-to-face, so materials should be able to accommodate instructions received over the phone and recording of information from a telehealth machine; 4) material sheets should positively reinforce and motivate the patient; 5) materials should include appropriate illustrations to assist in demonstrating the desired outcome; 6) materials should be designed to complement a disease management program; and 7) materials should have the flexibility to customize the goals and desired outcomes for individualized patients. Not every patient will fit the typical patient model.

Although patient education materials may differ, the goal is always the same; providing appropriate care in an effort to reduce health care costs while improving patient outcomes and promoting independence.

Brigitte Brus, RN, BSN
Clinical Consultant, Briggs Corporation

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