In every state, patient education is recognized as within the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse. The type of education varies according to the patient's needs but, in general, may include some of the following topics:

• Plan of care - this may include testing, follow up appointments, treatments, new medications, etc.
• Healthy lifestyle - this may include exercise, diet changes, sleep hygiene, etc.
• Safety - this may include seat-belt use, helmet use, firearm safety, etc.
• Medication management - this may include possible side effects, red flag symptoms, instructions on when/how to take medications, etc.
• Nutrition & oral health - this may include diet, water intake, oral care, frequency of dental visits, etc.
• Use of supplies or medical equipment - this may include oxygen safety, use of crutches, use of walker/canes, insulin administration, etc.
• Fall prevention - this may include recommendations on hydration, home safety, use of assistive devices, requesting assistance when needed, proper footwear, etc.
• Pain management - this may include non-pharmacologic pain management options, activity recommendations, safe over-the-counter and/or prescription medication use, etc.
• Disease prevention - this may include screening test purpose and frequency, immunizations, etc.

According to the AAACN, nurses must consider the following factors when preparing to educate their patients:

• The learner. Do they need more knowledge, a change in their perspective or attitude, or to be taught physical skills? Are they ready to learn? What is their developmental stage?
• The goals. Are they SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound)?

Teach-Back and Motivational Interviewing are two patient-centered techniques that nurses can use to empower their patients. More information on these techniques can be found below.

Teach-Back is a teaching method where the patient verbalizes their understanding of the education previously presented. Although this requires time and patience, it engages the patient and helps them to remember key concepts. Teach-Back helps to reveal if there were any misunderstandings or concepts that were not communicated effectively by the teacher. The teacher then has the opportunity to reinforce the information or clarify misunderstandings.

An important aspect of Teach-Back is to make sure the patient understands that this is not a quiz or test. Communicate that you, as the healthcare professional, want to ensure that you explained things adequately. This helps patients to relax and puts the responsibility on you, avoiding embarrassing or awkward feelings for the patient.

*The above information was derived from the Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Care Nursing, 4th edition, by Candia Laughlin & Stephanie Witwer. Used with permission of AAACN. Find more information at https://www.aaacn.org/

Other Sources

Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality - Use the Teachback Method: https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/quality-resources/tools/literacy-toolkit/healthlittoolkit2-tool5.html

What is Teachback Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cllXBnHBiD4&t=200s

10 Elements of Competence for Using Teachback Effectively: http://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/HEALTHLITERACYSOLUTIONS/b33097fb-8e0f-4f8c-b23c-543f80c39ff3/UploadedImages/docs/Teach_Back_-_10_Elements_of_Competence.pdf

Case Western Reserve University - Motivational Interviewing Reminder Card: https://www.centerforebp.case.edu/client-files/pdf/miremindercard.pdf

Institute for Research, Education, & Training in Addiction - Motivational Interviewing Toolkit: https://ireta.org/resources/motivational-interviewing-toolkit/

Motivational Interviewing as a Counseling Style: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64964/