Future Direction of Patient Education
Future Direction of Patient Education
Key Concepts
Personalized Education: Tailoring education to meet individual patient needs.
Digital Health Literacy: The ability to use technology to access and understand health information.
Use of Technology: Implementing digital tools in patient education.
Shared Decision Making: Collaboration between patients and healthcare providers.
Chronic Disease Management: Educating patients on managing long-term health conditions.
Learning Objectives
Cognitive:
Discuss the future direction of health education.
Evaluate how health education can be more effective.
Affective:
Recognize the impact of the internet and technology on patient health.
Develop a positive attitude towards shared decision-making.
Psychomotor:
Demonstrate the use of digital health tools to access personal health information.
Share observations on the improvements in health education over time.
Unanswered Questions in Patient Education
Can patient teaching improve health status, decrease disease incidence, and prevent complications?
How will staff shortages affect the ability to deliver effective patient teaching?
Does patient teaching reduce the chance of litigation?
Are some teaching strategies more effective than others?
How should patient education be reimbursed?
How can patient teaching be adapted to meet the needs of diverse patients?
Future Trends in Patient Education
Most teaching will occur in ambulatory care settings.
Increased use of interactive video programs.
Expanded application of computer-based instruction in various settings.
Interorganizational linkages to enhance cooperative endeavors.
Emphasis on illness prevention and health promotion.
Increased third-party reimbursement due to demonstrated cost-effectiveness.
Emphasis on Wellness
Greater focus on wellness and disease prevention.
Increased importance of health education and health information counseling.
Availability of the Affordable Care Act in individual and small group markets.
Purpose of Client Education
To help individuals, families, and communities achieve optimal health.
Client education includes:
Maintenance and promotion of health and illness prevention.
Restoration of health.
Coping with impaired functioning.
T.E.A.C.H. Mnemonic
T - Tune into the patient.
E - Explore the patient’s concerns, preferences, and needs.
A - Assist patient with behavior changes.
C - Communicate effectively.
H - Honor the patient as a partner.
Strategies for Patient Education Success
Take advantage of educational technology.
Determine the patient’s learning style.
Stimulate the patient’s interest.
Consider the patient’s limitations and strengths.
Include family members in health care management.
Workplace Wellness Programs
Health awareness initiatives, including education and preventive screenings.
Efforts to maximize employee engagement.
Initiatives to change unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle choices.
Supportive environment efforts, including workplace policies to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Third-Party Reimbursement
Common in the health care industry.
Patient = first party.
Healthcare provider = second party.
Insurance company = third party.
Patient provides proof of insurance before receiving services.
Advantages:
Patients are more likely to see a doctor that accepts their insurance.
Referrals from the insurance company.
Easy handling of claims submission and quick reimbursement.
The payment rate is dictated by the insurance company, and the patient cannot be billed for the difference.
Internet and Health Information
Patients are exposed to enormous amounts of health information, which can be confusing.
Health consumers want to be partners in their health care decision-making.
Challenge: Providing evidence-based health information that is easily understood and utilized.
Impact of Technology on Patient Education
Technology, such as telemedicine and health apps, will provide new platforms for patient education, making it more accessible and personalized.
Accreditation Guidelines
Placing the patient at the center of their health care decision-making.
Treating the person as a whole.
Evidence-based health education for prevention and disease management.
Medicare/Medicaid initiatives.
New Technologies and Settings
Patient education and entertainment systems allow staff to deliver and document health education.
These systems can train patients on how to access their health records online.
They can also be used to conduct surveys to gather data and improve the patient experience.
Tablets allow hospitals to deploy additional apps.
Personalized Medicine and Patient Education
Personalized medicine will require more detailed and individualized patient education to help patients understand their unique health conditions and treatment options.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy will become increasingly important in patient education as more health information and resources become available online.
Nurse's Role
Provide patients with a list of reliable health information websites and offer to help them navigate these resources.
Addressing Patient Concerns
Validate patient concerns, provide reliable sources for health information, and encourage them to discuss any questions or concerns with healthcare professionals.
Real-Time Data and Patient Satisfaction
Real-time data is valuable to both patients and providers.
Displays can show information such as the names of providers or a patient’s most recent vitals.
Patient satisfaction surveys through interactive TV can help identify and address concerns before patient discharge.
Electronic whiteboards using real-time locating system (RTLS) technology.
Data Collection
Patient education and entertainment systems connect with EHR and RTLS.
SONIFI Health
Developed Staycast, which uses Google Chromecast to provide patients and families with the ability to stream content from their mobile apps to the TV in the hospital room.
Mobile Devices
Smartphones, tablets, and other devices offer important benefits but can be harder to manage and create an additional burden on hospital staff.