HEALTH INSIGHTS

Staff Ed: Maximizing Your Teaching Moments

March 11, 2020

Maximizing Your Teaching Moments

Man in exam room talking to healthcare provider.

During each clinical encounter, there are moments that arise naturally as ideal "teaching moments." Here’s a quick summary of how to apply the ideas to a typical patient encounter to build trust and compliance.

As you say hello

  • As you enter the room, greet the patient by name. Introduce yourself as needed.

  • Acknowledge any family members who are present by shaking hands or making eye contact.

  • Acknowledge the wait, if there was one.

  • Ask an open-ended question about the reason for the visit to get a sense of the patient’s mindset and emotional state.

  • If a patient has several reasons for the visit, prioritize them together. This way you can focus on dealing with the primary concern.

As you ask questions

  • Keep eye contact and listen for potential barriers to successful treatment.

  • Show your empathy for a patient’s situation. Acknowledge his or her emotional state. This validates the patient’s concern or fear.

  • Try to frame your dialog using a patient’s own words and level of medical sophistication.

As you explain

  • Keep a clear focus on the diagnosis, procedure, self-care, or other information you’re delivering.

  • Watch for changes in the patient’s body language or voice that signal fear or incomprehension. Adjust your explanation accordingly.

  • Give your reasons for tests, treatment, or medicine to encourage a patient’s sense of working together.

  • Use patient education materials to reinforce your message. Reviewing the patient's own previous test results with them should personalize your recommendations and help the patients understand their need to carry out the care plan.

Before a patient leaves

  • Get a repeat demonstration of skills a patient needs to master.

  • Ask an open-ended question to check their understanding of skills.

  • Clearly state one achievable goal a patient can work toward before the next visit. This can help your visits feel successful.

After the visit

  • You or a staff member can note in a patient’s chart any booklets, videos, or other materials you’ve given out. This can aid informed consent or improve patient understanding.

  • You might also note any communication challenges. These include low-literacy skills (or highly literate Internet skills) to help the next visit go more smoothly for you and the staff.

Updated:  

March 11, 2020

Sources:  

ABCDs of Professional Introductions: Teaching Nursing Students the Most Fundamental of All Communication Skills. Burke M. Nurse Educator. 2016;41(3):115-16., Patient-education tips for new nurses. Smith J. Nursing 2016. 2013;43(10):1-3.

Reviewed By:  

Robert Hurd MD,Paula Goode RN BSN MSN,Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN