Educating Patients: Creating Teaching Moments in Practice
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higher level of knowledge and course of education, autonomy and credibili- ty, and upholding values and ethics. An important component of a profession is to protect members of the public by us- ing knowledge and skills (Professional Standards Councils, n.d.). For healthcare professionals, the focus is on the bene- fit to the patient. Teaching is an essential function of the healthcare professions, and healthcare professionals need pro- ficiencies to successfully implement pa - tient education. Education is concentrat- ed on the goals, priorities, abilities, and health information needs of the patient and family, based on their existing knowl- edge (Health Care Education Association [HCEA], 2021). Patient- and family-centered care There is much literature regarding pa- tient- and family-centered care. The term family is defined based on what the pa - tient wants, and who they want involved in their care. This could include signif- icant others, immediate or extended family members, friends, colleagues, or any others the patient wishes to be in- volved. Each patient’s definition of family is unique—and some patients may desire to have family involved in their care while others do not want them to be involved (Institute for Patient- and Family-Cen- tered Care, n.d.). It is essential for healthcare profession- als to understand the components of patient- and family-centered care, partic- ularly when it comes to providing teach- ing and education. Patients and families expect to have all relevant information communicated to them in a manner that they can understand. They also wish to collaborate with healthcare profession- als in their care. Communication with pa- tients and families should be complete,
timely, courteous, valuable, and inclusive. Patients and families also expect to be listened to and validated during commu- nication. Other considerations include transparency, respect, and adaptation to the patient’s and family’s needs, cultures, and beliefs (Institute for Patient- and Fam- ily-Centered Care, n.d.; Maryniak, 2019). Education and patient outcomes Patient education, when done effec- tively, engages patients in their health- care management and fits in with pa - tient- and family-centered care. Teaching involves determining patient needs by assessing and addressing them through communication, reinforcement, and con- firming knowledge. Simply providing in - structions, such as written material, is not effectual patient education (National Li- brary of Medicine, 2021). Patient teach - ing should be done systematically by as- sessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (HCEA, 2021). Without the knowledge and under- standing of steps to take for managing illness and maintaining wellness, patients may not be able to appropriately care for themselves. A lack of understanding can lead patients to noncompliance with medications or treatment, experience a difficulty or inability to manage health, and create errors at home (Mahajan et al., 2020).
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