Choosing Efficient Patient Education Techniques

By Steven Hill


Teaching people receiving treatment is a significant aspect of giving nursing care. It does not matter whether you are training a new mother on taking care of a newborn or teaching an adult to cope with a chronic condition. The achievement of the trainee will depend on the quality of instruction and support given by the nurse. It is, therefore, important for both parties to take patient education seriously for it to achieve best results.

Initially, training clients on treatment was very inconveniencing. Most of the training was focused on classroom like models where clients would have to take notes. Technology, on the other hand, has ensured that information is easily accessible. For the most part, nursing facilities have numerous training resources stored in computers. These materials can easily be modified to conform to the specific needs of clients. The information is then printed out for distribution.

You should never hand your client a stack of papers without explaining what they are. For the most part, such clients develop low interest on the manual. Read through the manual with your client, explaining why it is important for them to follow the guidelines therein. Be sure to answer any questions they may ask. Nurses can also get manuals that are more detailed from the many credible internet sites to help re-invent the wheel for each client.

Educational experts recommend the use of a diverse range of teaching techniques. They say it helps to emphasize on the message being conveyed. Just like normal students, clients getting treatment also have diverse learning styles that suit them. Take time to know the best style of learning for each patient. Adults, for the most part, do not go well with printed information. This is not a lack of intelligence on their part.

If you realize that your client cannot read and comprehend information, you may opt for information on DVDs. Fortunately, most of the manuals are available both in print and in DVD formats. Visual impression is very powerful. A nurse may also opt to use a hand on technique to teach their patients. If a mother is not bathing their baby properly, guiding her on doing it right is more effective. Manuals may not be sufficient.

If you want to be a reputable health care professional, you should learn to stimulate the interests of your clients in their problem. A client who is interested in their condition will respond well to the instructions you give them. As such, they will be in a position to handle their condition more effectively. Remember that success in this field depends on the attitude of the client towards instructions.

Adult clients can be difficult to handle. They look for instant gratification. You must, therefore, develop skills that will help you determine the things that matter for each of your clients. Be keen to establish rapport with them. Ask them questions to get them talking. Encourage them to ask questions as well. This will help you understand their particular interests.

You may not be present at all times to ensure that your client is following instructions. Thus, think of involving family members in training. They play in a significant role in monitoring your client.




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