Every patient has a fundamental right to clear and understandable information about their disease, treatment, and prognosis. This knowledge is crucial because it empowers patients to make informed decisions about their own care.
It’s up to health care organisations and professionals to support this pursuit of health literacy. For nurses, this means not just providing care but also offering patient education that helps integrate health-related behaviours, skills, and attitudes into daily life for better health outcomes.
It’s important for nurses to deliver education in ways that patients can easily grasp. This might mean using visuals, videos, or even interpreters to make sure the information is communicated clearly.
But education doesn’t always need to be formal or pre-planned. Often, the best teaching moments are spontaneous. Nurses can use real-time situations to provide relevant information, making learning feel natural and immediate.
Patient education should be an ongoing, natural part of care, not something that’s scheduled or reserved for specific staff members. The most effective learning happens when information is directly related to the patient’s current situation.
By addressing questions and providing explanations as situations arise, nurses make education a seamless part of the care experience. This approach helps patients understand their care better and makes the learning process more engaging and practical.
For instance, consider when a nurse is checking a patient’s temperature and asks if they’ve recently had hot or cold food. This question is more than a procedural step — it’s a chance to educate.
The nurse can explain, “We ask about hot or cold foods because they can affect your temperature reading. If you’ve just had something very hot or cold, it might change the result.”
This explanation helps the patient see why certain factors matter and how their actions can influence their health measurements. It’s practical knowledge they can use in the future, whether they’re monitoring their own temperature or helping a family member.
In health care, many routine tasks provide valuable opportunities for teaching. When nurses explain the reasons behind procedures or offer quick bits of information during these tasks, it’s all part of an ongoing teaching process.
These interactions might seem small, but they help patients gain a better understanding of their care and manage their health more effectively.
Sometimes, there will be moments when a nurse doesn’t have an immediate answer to a patient’s question, especially if it’s unusual or complex. It’s crucial to handle these situations with honesty and openness.
Let the patient know if the nurse finds the right information or consult someone who can help. This approach not only maintains trust but also reassures the patient that their questions are important and will be answered thoroughly.
As the nurse continues their journey in health care, remember that every interaction with the patients is a chance to make a meaningful difference. Embrace these opportunities to communicate openly and share the knowledge and skills that have been developed.
Efforts to educate and empower patients are impactful and help them take an active role in their own care. Start with small, everyday moments, use clear language, and check in with patients to ensure they understand.
By weaving these practices into the daily routine in the nursing care, nurses can make patient education a dynamic and effective part of their care experience.
Harjit Kaur is from the nursing department at Sunway University.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
