Medical Assisting Chapter 14 PowerPoint® to accompany Medical Assisting Chapter 14 Second Edition Ramutkowski  Booth  Pugh  Thompson  Whicker Chapter 14 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Patient Education Objectives 14-1 Identify the benefits of patient education. 14-2 Explain the role of the medical assistant in patient education. 14-3 Discuss factors that affect teaching and learning. 14-4 Describe patient education materials used in the medical office.

Patient Education Objectives (cont.) 14-5 Explain how patient education can be used to promote good health habits. 14-6 Identify the types of information that should be included in the patient information packet. 14-7 Discuss techniques for educating patients with special needs.

Patient Education Objectives (cont.) 14-9 Explain the benefits of patient education prior to surgery, and identify types of preoperative teaching. 14-10 List educational resources that are available outside the medical office.

The Educated Patient Is better informed about how to maintain a healthy state Is often more compliant with treatment programs Takes a more active role in medical care

Types of Patient Education Printed Materials Brochures, Booklets, and Fact Sheets Explain procedures that are performed in the medical office Provide information about specific diseases and medical conditions Provide information to help patients stay healthy

Types of Patient Education Printed Materials (cont.) Educational Newsletter Medical office newsletters : Are written by the doctor or office staff Contain practical health care tips Offer updates on office policies Provides information about new diagnostic tests and equipment

Types of Patient Education Printed Materials (cont.) Community Assistance Directory A written community resource directory prepared by the medical office is a valuable aid for referring patients to appropriate agencies. Meals On Wheels Medical Services Day Care Centers

Types of Patient Education (cont.) Visual Materials  Videotapes are used effectively to educate about complex subjects and procedures. Many physicians arrange classes and seminars for their patients.

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer This is the best answer because books cannot be taken out of the office, and a fact sheet with no pictures might not be as appealing to a large number of patients. - Answer A medical assistant employed in a cardiology office is asked by the physicians to create some form of publication to educate patients about healthy heart habits. Which of the following mediums do you feel will be most effective and why? Create a fact sheet with text explaining common heart diseases. Check out several books on healthy habits that affect the heart from the local library. Create a brochure with pictures and text to focus on dietary and other heart functioning.

Promoting Good Health Through Education Health is a complex concept involving physical, mental, emotional, and social influences. Consumer Education has helped Americans become more aware of good health practices. Ways to achieve good health: Develop good health habits Protect self from injury Take preventive measures to protect against disease and illness

Promoting Good Health Through Education (cont.) Regular Exercise Healthful Habits Good Nutrition Adequate Rest

Promoting Good Health Through Education (cont.) Limiting Alcohol Intake No Smoking Healthful Habits Balance Work Leisure

Promoting Good Health Through Education (cont.) Protection from Injury Educate patients about safety tips to prevent injuries at home, work, and during play times. Teach patients about the proper use of medications.

Promoting Good Health Through Education (cont.) Preventive Measures Third level of prevention Three Levels Rehabilitation Secondary level of prevention Improve Functioning Screening Primary level of prevention Diagnostic Testing Health-Promoting Behaviors "CAUTION"

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 3rd Tuberculin skin test Categorize the following list of behaviors as being a first, second, or third level of prevention. Tuberculin skin test Monthly self-breast exam Adopting healthy eating habits Annual Mammograms Bladder retraining programs 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 3rd

The Patient Information Packet Benefits of the Information Packet Simple, inexpensive, and effective medium to improve relationships between the office and the patients Provides important information about the office policies and staff roles Excellent marketing tool All materials should be written at a sixth grade level for reading ease of all patients.

The Patient Information Packet Contents of the Information Packet Introduction to the Office Physician’s Qualifications Description of the Practice Introduction to the Office Staff Office Hours Appointment Scheduling Telephone Policy

The Patient Information Packet (cont.) Contents of the Information Packet (cont.) Payment Policies Insurance Policies Patient Confidentiality Statement Other Information

Distributing the Information Packet Patients must receive and read the information packet in order for them to be effective. Methods to distribute the Information Packet Hand the packet to new patients and review the contents with them. Mail the packet to patients prior to the initial visit if time permits. Keep additional copies available in the office where patients can easily access them. For patients with special concerns, pictures and charts may be needed to communicate the information.

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer Using a digital camera or other device, photos of office personnel and their credentials can be placed in the office content packet. - Answer The medical assistant is employed at a very busy internal medicine office with seven physicians and five nurse practitioners. Following their office visit, several patients inquire about the credentials of the medical practitioner seeing them during the visit. How can this information be made available to the patients?

Educating Patients with Special Needs Elderly Patients Show respect Put information in writing Adjust procedures as needed when limitations are present Patients with Mental Impairments Use tact and speak at the patient’s level of understanding Common conditions Dementia Alzheimer’s disease Emotional problems Drug addiction Mental retardation

Educating Patients with Special Needs (cont.) Patients with Hearing Impairments Remember that their inability to hear is not a measure of their intelligence. Patients with Visual Impairments Verify that all verbal instructions have been heard correctly. Multicultural Issues Patients from diverse cultures may have different beliefs about the causes and treatments of their illness.

Patient Education Prior to Surgery The Role of the Medical Assistant Educational Legal Preoperative Instructions Informed Consent Postoperative Instructions

Patient Education Prior to Surgery (cont.) Benefits of Preoperative Education Increases patients’ overall satisfaction Reduces patient anxiety and fear Reduces use of pain medication Reduces complications following surgery Reduces recovery time

Patient Education Prior to Surgery (cont.) Types of Preoperative Teaching Factual Sensory Participatory Provides the patient descriptions of various sensations they may feel during the procedure. Includes explanations and demonstrations of certain techniques required after surgery. Patients are allowed to provide a return demonstration of the technique to validate understanding and technique accuracy. Informs patient of specific details about the procedure and needed restrictions before and / or after surgery.

Patient Education Prior to Surgery (cont.) Using Anatomical Models A visual representation helps patients better understand what will take place Helping Patients Relieve Anxiety Allow extra time for patients to grasp information and use positive words when possible Verifying Patient Understanding Have patients explain to you in their own words their understanding of what has been taught Also return demonstrations of procedural instructions validate understanding

Additional Educational Resources Libraries Computer Resources Community Resources Associations Note: These outside resources may be used by office personnel or patients to obtain educational information.

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer Be sure to speak loud and slow to the patient. Request that the patient repeats to you, in his/her own words, the preoperative information. Insist that someone accompany the patient to the office. - Answer A patient with both a visual and hearing impairment requires preoperative teaching by the medical assistant. What would be most essential in such a situation? Be sure to speak loud and slow to the patient. Request that the patient repeats to you in their own words, the preoperative information. Insist that someone accompany the patient to the office.

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