Educating Patients: Creating Teaching Moments in Practice
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Question 2: What are some strategies that can be used to help educate Mr. Lopez? Commentary on question 2 : A Spanish interpreter with formalized communications and education to help Mr. Lopez learn best is needed. Individual education will be valuable for Mr. Lopez, with visual aids and written information in Spanish for his visual and tactile learn - ing style. He has tested as having low health literacy. Teach-back will be essential for Mr. Lopez, using brief and focused education sessions in small segments. His daughter should be included when she is at the facility. Return demonstrations can also be done. Frequent re- inforcement may be needed for Mr. Lopez, and there are many potential barriers to learning. Question 3: What important content should be covered with Mr. Lopez? Commentary on question 3 : Mr. Lopez has multiple diagnoses, complications, and medications. The immediate focus is on his safety and broken hip. Too much information will not be helpful and can be overwhelming. Important information for Mr. Lopez is related to ensuring he gets help when moving, such as getting out of bed and ambulating. He also needs continued reinforcement of physical rehabilitation to help him regain his indepen- dence. Education about the long-term care setting is also important. Teaching is done with Mr. Lopez and his daughter using a Spanish interpreter. Teach-back questions are “Tell me what you will do if you have to get up and use the bathroom,” “How often can you have your pain medication?” and “Show me how you use your walker.” Mr. Lopez says, “I will call for help when I have to go the bathroom” and “I can have my pain medication every time the nurse brings it in.” He can show proper use of his walker when ambulating. Mr. Lopez also states, “I can’t wait to get better so that I can go back home next week.” Question 4 : What teaching moments are there for Mr. Lopez? Commentary on question 4 : The statement “I will call for help” needs to be clarified. Does Mr. Lopez mean use the call bell for help, or is he referring to something else, such as using the phone or yelling? His pain medication also needs to be explained again, so he knows that he can use the call bell and ask for pain medication when he needs it, every four hours. Another teaching moment is related to the anticipated length of stay at the facility. It is anticipated that Mr. Lopez will have at least a three-month stay, but he made a statement about going home next week.
Conclusion The case studies covered in this chapter included questions and discussions relat- ed to applying the information and strat- egies reviewed within this course. There are many factors that must be considered in each unique patient situation.
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