Introduction to Technology and Patient Education

Technology and Patient Education

Erin Regan, MSN, RN, CCRN
NURS 112

Learning Objectives

  • Define terms associated with technology in patient education.

  • Describe advantages and disadvantages/barriers to technology & patient education.

  • Identify components of the nursing process used to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care.

  • Recognize the nurse’s role in management of patient health using interactive technology.

Then and Now in Nursing Education

Nursing 111: Previous Learning

  • Learned about Nursing Informatics and its history.

  • Explored the advantages and disadvantages of computerized documentation systems (electronic health records, EHR).

Nursing 112: Current Focus

  • Expanding knowledge to connect Nursing Informatics with Patient Teaching.

  • Discussing the relationship between technology and patient education, types of technology available, and selecting appropriate technology for specific patients.

Goals of Evolving Healthcare Informatics and Technology

  • To advance medicine and ensure patient safety.

  • To make documentation easier.

  • To ensure mistakes aren’t being made.

  • To make healthcare processes faster.

Patient Education and the Need for Technology

Definition and Purpose of Patient Education

  • What?

    • To increase knowledge and skills for self-management of healthcare and improve patients' quality of life.

  • Why?

    • Educated patients can better participate in their treatment, identify errors, enhance satisfaction, and decrease hospital stay lengths.

  • How?

    • Interactive technology plays a crucial role in patient safety and quality of care due to the complex management of chronic diseases.

Historical Perspective: Past vs. Present in Patient Education

  • Past Practices:

    • Healthcare professionals made decisions for patients.

    • Traditional education relied on written materials concerning disease processes, medications, and self-care.

  • Present and Future:

    • Focus on patient empowerment through cooperative decision-making.

    • Utilization of interactive technology to provide educational and entertainment resources to engage patients positively.

Study Insights: Beryl Institute

  • Study Focus:

    • Analyzed hospitals on the use of interactive technology for patient communication to enhance satisfaction.

  • Goal:

    • Improve patient knowledge and understanding of their conditions.

  • Plan:

    • Use personalized patient information supported by nursing and motivational support with teach-back methods (return demonstrations).

  • Results:

    • Significant improvement in patient satisfaction, increasing by 42%.

Key Terminology to Know

  • Nursing Informatics

  • Health Literacy

  • Innovation

  • Meaningful Use

  • Recidivism

  • QSEN competencies

Nursing Informatics

  • Definition:

    • A nursing specialty that merges nursing science and practice with information technology to enhance patient care through efficient use of information, technology, and communication.

  • Importance for Nurses:

    • Allows better recognition, delineation, control, and communication of statistics and information in clinical nursing practice.

Meaningful Use

  • Concept:

    • The use of technology and data in a more impactful way by healthcare professionals.

  • Goals:

    • Improve safety, efficiency, and quality of care outcomes.

    • Advance decision-making.

    • Optimize human work processes through technology, aiming to improve patient care overall.

Innovation and Technology

Definition of Innovation

  • Innovation:

    • The process of developing new approaches, technologies, and workflows to better serve healthcare needs.

  • Aim:

    • Addressing service or technology gaps to improve patient care outcomes and costs.

Patient’s Health Literacy

Definition of Health Literacy

  • Health Literacy:

    • The ability of an individual to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make suitable health decisions.

  • Key Components:

    1. Read, understand, and analyze health information.

    2. Comprehend instructions.

    3. Assess risks and benefits.

    4. Make informed decisions and take action.

Consequences of Low Health Literacy

  • Associated with:

    • Increased hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

    • Reduced cancer screening and influenza vaccination rates.

    • Poor medication adherence, leading to higher mortality rates among older adults.

  • Benefits of Improving Health Literacy:

    • Advances population health and diminishes health disparities.

    • Enhances patient outcomes, adherence, and compliance.

Importance of Good Health Literacy

Key Competencies for Effective Patient Education

  1. Readability: Materials should be easy to read and understand.

  2. Plain Language: Use of everyday language to convey information.

  3. Patient Specific: Tailoring information to individual patient needs and contexts.

Indicators (Red Flags) of Low Health Literacy

  • Frequently missed appointments.

  • Incomplete patient registration forms.

  • Inconsistent medication compliance.

  • Inability to name medications or their purposes.

  • Relying on visual recognition of pills instead of reading labels.

  • Inability to provide a coherent health history.

  • A reduction in asking questions.

  • Lack of follow-through on tests or referrals.

Case Study: Nursing Progress Note

  • Client Details:

    • Admitted for uncontrolled hypertension and chest pain.

    • Unable to identify medications taken at home or fill out medical history forms completely.

    • Education regarding hypertension and chest pain causes provided but no questions were asked post-session.

Teaching Strategies for Clients with Low Health Literacy

  • Actions for a Nurse:

    • A. Use the teach-back method.

    • B. Encourage questions.

    • C. Speak slowly.

    • D. Avoid medical terminology.

    • E. Provide written materials.

Recidivism

  • Definition:

    • The tendency to relapse into previous behavior, particularly regarding health issues or treatment noncompliance.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)

  • Goal of QSEN:

    • Prepare future nurses to possess necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) for continually improving quality and safety in healthcare systems.

Barriers to Patient Education

  1. Nurse availability/time constraints.

  2. Lack of nurse knowledge about educational material.

  3. Difficulty in identifying patient learning needs.

  4. Patient readiness and compliance issues.

  5. Limited funding for educational programs in hospitals.

Digital Education for Patients

  1. Definition:

    • Incorporates computers, audio/visual devices, or mobile tech to address patient educational needs.

  2. Technological Features:

    • Includes social networking, animations, and interactive features to engage patients.

  3. Flexibility of Digital Education:

    • Nurses must assess patient tech proficiency and health literacy when implementing digital education.

    • Emphasis on patient privacy and security is critical.

Key Insights on Telehealth

  1. Telehealth utilization in primary care stabilized at 6-7% as of mid-2023 after pandemic-related increases.

  2. Patients preferring languages other than English were more likely to use telehealth services.

  3. Telehealth use varies across specialties; mental health had the highest utilization.

  4. Patients in metropolitan areas utilize telehealth services more than those in rural areas.

Interactive Patient Education

  • Definition:

    • A two-way information exchange between users and technology that encourages active participation in health education.

Types of Technology for Patient Education

  • Traditional: TV, DVD

  • Internet resources, Patient Portals

  • Wearable devices (FitBit, Apple Watch)

  • Medical Apps for Tablets and Smart Phones

  • Telehealth and Mobile Health technologies

  • Virtual (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

  • Online video content (YouTube, educational modules)

Patient Portals

  • Features:

    • 24/7 access to personal health information, secure messaging, appointment management, prescription refills, and billing services.

Credible Websites for Health Information

  • Recommend resources include:

    • Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.org

    • Cleveland Clinic: www.clevelandclinic.org

    • National Institutes of Health: www.nih.gov/health-information

    • MedlinePlus: www.medlineplus.gov

    • American Heart Association: www.heart.org

Digital Education and Resources

  • Examples of Available Educational Tools:

  1. Interactive patient education videos:

    • Offered by health systems like UCLA.

  2. Mobile Apps:

    • For medical education and patient engagement.

  3. Podcasts:

    • Focused on various health topics, such as mental health and chronic disease management.

Reflections on Communication and Documentation

  • Maintain open communication and ensure documentation of educational sessions using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to enhance continuity of care and tracking of patient progress.