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Allied Health: Articles of Interest
The value of patient education
By Antoinette Gardner, RN, MEd, AE-C, Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Patient education–we all know it is important. We all know it is
necessary; just like exercise and a healthy diet. So why is it so
difficult? In a day with too many patients to be seen quickly; too many
phone calls to return; too many crises to handle, it is sometimes
difficult to figure out how to find that 15 minutes or more necessary for
patient education. So why do it? What is the value? Its value comes from
the results that are seen by you and experienced by the patient.
Just what is patient education and why is it so important? Patient
education is any combination of learning experiences influencing behavior
changes, producing changes in knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to
maintain and improve health.(1) Behavior is not changed by simply giving
patients and families written instructions, lists of resources, handing
them a booklet or pamphlet, or just giving them a video to watch. As
professionals we need take an active role in providing patients with the
tools and knowledge needed to make these changes.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) has stated goals for patient and family teaching in their
standards. They include:
- Increased patient participation in decision-making about health care
options
- Increased potential to follow the therapeutic health care plan
- Maximize patient/family health care skills
- Improved patient/family coping skills with health issues
- Increased participation in continuing care
- Promoting a healthy patient lifestyle (2)
The importance of teaching about health has become increasingly
acknowledged over the last several decades by consumers and professionals,
as well as governing and accrediting agencies, such as the American
Hospital Association, the JCAHO, the Association of Asthma Educators, and
the American Diabetes Association.(3) The importance of patient education
is further emphasized by the development of a certification for asthma
educators by the National Asthma Educators Certification Board and
certification of diabetes educators by the American Association of
Diabetic Educators.
The National Health, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines for
the diagnosis and management of asthma advocates patient education as an
essential part of successful asthma management. As with any disease
requiring complex management, patient education is necessary to
successfully manage care and obtain the skills necessary to control
asthma.(4) The partnership between the patient and health care team is
vital to obtain this outcome.
Most research has found that patient teaching is cost effective and a
way to help patients manage health care needs. Research studies have shown
that the benefits of health education and providing patients with more
information include improvements in patient satisfaction, better health
outcomes, better adherence, more empowered patient decision making and
better understanding of medical conditions.(1) When patients are actively
involved in decision making they have improved control of disease and
better outcomes.
The value of patient education is appreciable with:
- Improved quality of the physician/clinician-patient interaction
- Improved patients’ compliance with their medication regimen and
medical follow-up care
- Improved quality of patient self-care
- Reduced risks of complications due to changes in lifestyle and
environment (5)
By improving communication with health care providers, patients are
more willing to report illness symptoms earlier, which may reduce the
chance that the patient or family discontinues therapy without first
contacting the provider. Studies have shown that patients are more likely
to be satisfied with their health care experience when they consider
themselves well educated in disease management. (5)
For patients with chronic conditions, such as asthma and allergic
rhinitis, health-related quality of life can improve significantly after
patient education gives an individual confidence in the self-management of
their disease. Cost-containment studies and those by managed care
organizations have consistently shown patient teaching to be cost
effective. Educated patients maintain better health, have fewer
complications, and as a result, are more adherent and have fewer
hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and clinic and physician
visits. (6)
Health care costs have also been shown to be reduced by education
interventions that decrease the patient’s demands on the health care
system. Increased patient/family awareness through education can result in
earlier detection of problems and timelier outpatient intervention, also
decreasing hospitalizations. By decreasing hospitalizations and office
visits, absenteeism from school and work for patients and/or family
members is reduced. Patients who have participated in patient education
programs generally have better coping skills and are usually less reliant
on health care provider.(5) When patients/families are able to make
knowledgeable decisions about their care and feel confident in their
skills, health care providers spend less time on the phone educating and
clarifying. This can be a significant saving in your day.
So, “What is the value of patient education?” The answer comes in the
form of the child, adult or parent who enters your office every day. These
same individuals, who come in frightened and confused by the disease and
treatment plan, can leave empowered to take control of their illness
because you provided them with the tools they needed through education.
From AAAAI website
References
1. Rankin, S.H., & Stallings, K.D. (2001). Patient Education:
Principles and Practice. (4th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott., 78-129.
2. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
(1997-2000). Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospital: The Official
Handbook. Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.: JCAHO.
3. Boyd, M.D., et al. (1998). “Health teaching in nursing practice.” In: Health Teaching in Nursing Practice: A Professional Model. (3rd
ed). Stanford, Conn.: Appleton & Lange, 3-9.
4. National Institutes of Health [NIH]. (1997). Guidelines for the
Diagnosis and Management of Asthma: Expert Panel Report II. Clinical
Practice Guidelines, No. 97-4051.
5. Spath, P.L. “Evaluating the Long-term Impact of Patient Education.” (2/2001).
www.brownspath.com/original_articles/ patienteducation.htm
6. Bartlett, E.E. (1995). “Cost benefit analysis of patient education.”
Patient Education and Counseling, 26(2), 87-91.