Moving Into Action: The Master Key to Patient Education

Mehdi AMIRKHANI,Majid NAJAFI KALYANI,Raheleh SABET SARVESTANI,Zhila FEREIDOUNI,Seyed Amin KUHPAYE,Gholamreza HARIRI

doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000280

Mehdi AMIRKHANI, Majid NAJAFI KALYANI

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000280

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Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground:Illness and hospitalization are situations that increase the need for assistance and education. Poor education is currently the most common source of patient complaints in the health sector in Iran.Purpose:The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and recommendations of nurses to improve patient education.Methods:This research followed a qualitative exploratory design with a qualitative content analysis approach. The study participants, including eight head nurses and 16 staff nurses, were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through semistructured interviews, focus group sessions, and observations during 2016.Results:Coding and analysis of the data generated one main theme, two subthemes, and four categories. The subthemes were “strengthen total commitment” and “reconstructing the infrastructure,” and the categories were “developing motivational factors,” “facilitating change by every impetus,” “systematizing activities,” and “contextual promotion.”Conclusions:Study findings provide a complete picture of patient education and challenge managers to develop new strategies to plan and implement appropriate changes.

Highlights

Humans try at every opportunity to learn specific knowledge and skills to increase their ability to cope with new situations
Study findings provide a complete picture of patient education and challenge managers to develop new strategies to plan and implement appropriate changes
Coding and analysis of the data generated one main theme, two subthemes, and four categories related to the perspectives and recommendations of participants with regard to patient education

Summary

Introduction

Humans try at every opportunity to learn specific knowledge and skills to increase their ability to cope with new situations. Illness and hospitalization are two situations that increase the need for assistance and education (Marcus, 2014; Rankin, Stalling, & London, 2005). Patient education is a process by which health professionals impart information to patients and their caregivers to improve health status and encourages involvement in decision making related to ongoing care and treatment. This process helps patients incorporate knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that relate to specific or general medical topics, preventive services, the adoption of healthy lifestyles, correct use of medicine, and the care of disease and injuries at home (Dorland, 2011). Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and recommendations of nurses to improve patient education

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