Elements Of Patient Education Research Articles

Synthesis of existing literature on the colorectal surgery patients’ challenges during hospital-to-home transitions: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionDespite advances in innovation to improve patients’ transition experiences, it is unclear—in the context of colorectal surgery—what elements of patient education and care could provide the greatest benefit to patient...

Physical Therapistsʼ Perceptions of Knowledge and Clinical Behavior Regarding Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

The study purpose was to assess perceptions of physical therapists (PTs) regarding the role of physical therapy in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. A 25-item survey, validated by expert cardiovascular/pulmonary (CVP) PTs, was sent electronically to 2,673 PTs. Each item represented an element of clinical practice behavior: education of CVD/risk factors (EDCVD), administration of primary CVD prevention (PRECVD), identifying underlying CVD/risk factors (IDCVD), monitoring CV status in patients with CVD (MONCVD). Responses were assigned numeric values (strongly agree = 5 to strongly disagree = 1), and mean element scores were analyzed. Most of the 516 respondents were APTA Section members (34% CVP Section, 42% other Section membership) and worked in academia (53%). Items showing a high (> 95%) level of agreement included patient education of smoking (97%) and monitoring exercise intensity (99%), assessing exercise benefits (99%), clinically identifying obesity (97%) and hypertension (97%), and monitoring CV response to exercise (99%). Items failing to reach 80% overall agreement were patient education of CVD medications (79%) and blood chemistry (72%), and assessing CVD family history (75%), patient BMI (60%), and body composition (33%). Identifying underlying CVD (77.2%) was the only practice behavior failing to reach 80% agreement. Outpatient PTs agreed significantly less to all elements vs. academics, and to IDCVD vs. all PTs except home health. Physical therapists support most CVD prevention behaviors, but not given elements of patient education and identifying underlying CVD/risk factors.

The Hypertensive Elder

Hypertension, the most prevalent cardiovascular disorder in America, affects over 50% of the older adult population. Management of hypertension in the elder is influenced by numerous age-related factors, including physiological changes, co-morbid conditions, functional or cognitive impairments, and polypharmacy issues. As data on the damaging effects of untreated hypertension increase, practice guidelines are increasingly focused on early detection and successful management of blood pressure in the primary care setting. The primary health care provider, having an advanced knowledge base and excellent communication skills, can make effective management of hypertension a reality. This article presents a comprehensive review of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in the older adult. Lifestyle modification and pharmacologic therapy are discussed. Elements of patient education are described, with special emphasis on promoting adherence to a long-term treatment regimen.

A critical pathway to treat proximal lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis

To address variation in treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while maximizing the efficiency and quality of care, our institution developed a critical pathway guideline. This paper presents this critical pathway and the clinical rationale underlying its recommendations. The DVT pathway synthesizes recommendations for all aspects of patient care, including laboratory evaluation at admission, dosing and management of heparin therapy, timing of warfarin initiation, elements of patient education, discharge planning, and anticipated duration of heparinization and hospitalization. Differences among interpretations of the medical literature, patient populations, physician skills, test availability, and other variables make it unlikely that all elements of this pathway would best meet the needs of another institution. Nevertheless, the critical pathway format and the specific contents of this pathway may serve as a useful benchmark for others involved in creating clinical guidelines for this patient population.

Hypothyroidism: Common Complaints, Perplexing Diagnosis

Hypothyroidism, the most common disorder of thyroid function is especially common in the adult female population. The disease affects every major organ system and metabolic process. The diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism can be perplexing to the clinician because of its insidious onset and wide array of nonspecific manifestations. Complaints of fatigue, muscle weakness, lethargy, and weight gain are often at first attributed to emotional or other health problems. Additionally, patients may not seek medical care because they are unaware that they are ill. Clinicians need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism so that a timely diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. This article reviews the etiology, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism as well as the methods of diagnosis and treatment. Elements of patient education are described with particular emphasis on the chronic nature of hypothyroidism and the need for life long treatment.