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Allied Health: Articles of Interest The value of patient education 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:
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:
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. 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. |
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