Question

1. summarize the historical foundations for the teaching role of health professionals. For example, what did early healers do? what factors influenced the growth of patient education from the mid -1800s to the 20th century? When was emphasis placed on education of individual patients rather than general public health information? What does AHA’s A patient bill of rights have to do with patient education? What is the role of the JC in patient education?

2. What is the role of the health professional as an educator? For example, What is their primary role? What skills are needed for a health professional to be a successful educator?

Answer 1

1.Teaching role of health professionals dates back to many years .in the early years physicians or nurses use to just heal the patient take care of their symptoms diagnose and treat .but over the years with right to information act .patient education became important.The historical aspect of patient education was health education which focused more on public health and prevention of communicable diseases but now the focus is on clinical patient education which is more of a continuous clinical education at all the aspects of health delivery system .Patient education was influenced by the evergrowing chronic disease which needed the patient to know the risk factors for the disease .and involvement of patient and relatives in the treatment process which led to better patient satisfaction and outcome Legislative laws on informed consent,right for information all led to an emphasis of including patient education.clinical patient education focused on the preventive and Rehabilitative care.AHA patient bill on rights remarks clearly the patients rights and patients responsibility.few of the patient rights is about altient education ,like informed consent,right to refuse,right for second opinion.AHA clearly states that the consent or any form of patient information should be written and explained in the language which patient understand the best .It should be taking the sociocultural background .Joint commission and other accreditation bodies have also emphasized on patient education with having various standards like informed consent,training and patient education according to the needs of individual patient, information to all patients in reducing harm like falls,education to patient going home withe vascular lines on care of lines to prevent infection, information about medication,diet, exercise,follow-up on discharge . patient should also be informed about personal hygiene,patient responsibility.

2.Health professionals like nurses,doctors, physiotherapist spend lot of time with patients and they have a huge responsibility of patient education.because healthcare professionals who knows the medicine,diagnosis,treatments, alternative therapy can educate patient to choose the most suitable and cheep option for better outcome.It helps in better patient satisfaction.patient education will include daily education, education at discharge,preventive and Rehabilitative education to patients patients become independent in their care and helps the family members in the treatment modalities.Their primary role is to help patients understand what they are going through what are the different treatment options so that best can be choosed as per patient To be a skilled educator one should have following skills

Excellent communication both written and verbal

Interpersonal relation skills

Good listener

Should be updated with current knowledge and advances to provide accurate education to patients .

Should have knowledge on risk factors causing diseases.

Knowledge about medication and actions and interaction

Ask the patient what he or she knows which will help you to plan patient education need based

Provide autonomy to patient .

She should be technologically sound so that she can use technology to impart education.

Easily approachable and accessible to answer queries of patient

Overall patient education is an important aspect in todays healthcare which helps in quality care and patient satisfaction