Importance of Professional Commitment in Developing Patient Education as A Clinical Skill

Professional commitment is essential in developing patient education as it ensures that healthcare professionals empower their patients, foster rapport and trust, and prioritise their well-being. Committed professionals continuously update their communication techniques and knowledge, thus ensuring that the dissemination of the information to patients is very effective and accurate. The dedication to patient education ensures that better health outcomes are promoted by enhancing the understanding of the patient regarding their health condition, preventive measures, and treatments. Additionally, it encourages active participation in the healthcare journey and patient compliance, thus resulting in more adherence to treatment plans (Ten et al., 2022).Top of Form

Three Categories of Learning and How They Can Be Used in Patient Education.

The three learning categories are cognitive learning, affective learning, and psychomotor learning. Cognitive learning is the development of intellectual skills and the acquisition of knowledge. Cognitive learning is used in patient education to provide factual information regarding their health condition and treatment (Wei et al., 2021). Affective learning deals with attitudes, values, and emotions, and it can be used in patient education to address how a patient is feeling, as well as their beliefs and motivation regarding treatment adherence (Wei et al., 2021). Psychomotor learning involves the development of coordination and skills. It can be used in patient education to teach the patients about medication administration, how to manage their symptoms, and medical device usage.

Three Problems That May Arise in Patient Education and Their Solutions

One of the problems that may arise in patient education includes health literacy challenges. This challenge can be solved using visual aids, plain language, and teach-back methods to ensure comprehension. Another challenge is limited time and resources. This challenge can be resolved by providing follow-up resources, prioritizing the essential information, and encouraging patients to ask questions. The last one is the language and cultural barriers. This challenge can be solved by utilizing interpreters when necessary and providing educational materials in multiple languages.

Some Methods of Documentation of Patient Education

• Electronic health records systems have designated fields for documenting the education sessions.
• Progress notes that are found in the medical record of a patient
• Educational handouts that are provided to the patient

References

Ashinyo, M. E., Dubik, S. D., Duti, V., Amegah, K. E., Ashinyo, A., Asare, B. A., … & Kuma-Aboagye, P. (2021). Infection prevention and control compliance among exposed healthcare workers in COVID-19 treatment centres in Ghana: A descriptive cross-sectional study. PloS one, 16(3), e0248282.