Patient health teaching needs.

Abstract

Abstract In summary, an exploratory, descriptive study was conducted to identify and compare the areas of greatest interest to nonurgent ED patients with the areas that care providers identified as important to teach these patients. Analysis revealed overall congruence of health teaching interests and needs between patients and care providers. The most marked difference was found in the ranking of statements concerning prevention of health problems. Explanations regarding the cause, complications, and recovery rate of the patient's presenting symptom or problem were ranked highest. In the context of the theoretical framework supporting this survey, the patient seeks information that will aid restoration of equilibrium disrupted by stress or illness. When the usual methods of coping with stress or illness fail, anxiety is created. Patients may seek help when they no longer are able to cope with their problem at their current level of understanding An explanation that aids their understanding of both the cause of the discomfort and the way in which the prescribed medical regime will achieve its goal may alleviate some of the anxiety. When patient-identified health interests were compared to care-provider-identified health teaching needs, statistical congruence was found. This finding varies from the findings of previous investigations, which revealed a discrepancy between expressed interests and needs of patienta and what care providers identified those needs to be. The identified differences revolved around the high lvel of importance nurses as care providers attributed to explanations concerning careful medical follow-up and consistent medical care as a preventive health measure. These topics can easily be discussed in the context of the presenting health problem to facilitate learning.