Older Adults Patient Education Issues Essay and Interview

1 Older Adults Patient Education Issues Essay and Interview Patient education is vital for improved health outcomes in all patient populations.

Effective patient education leads to better disease management and fewer adverse events (Jotterand, Amodio, & Elger, 2016). Older adults often have numerous health needs due to their frailty and increased risk of multiple chronic conditions. Patient education has an influence in healthcare depending on the effectiveness of education techniques used. Proper patient education leads to better health outcomes, whereas ineffective patient education leads to poor outcomes (Paterick, Patel, Tajik, & Chandrasekaran, 2017). This discussion analyzes the influence of patient education on healthcare based on an older patient’s experience.

Interview Questions WK, a 79-year-old African American male, was interviewed on his perception of the patient education he received during his hospital stay and on discharge. WK is diabetic and hypertensive. He had been admitted following a fall he had sustained as he was climbing down the stairs in his home.

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1. Did a patient education representative give you instructions on how to care for yourself after your illness or operation?

Yes. I was educated on several things, including managing my blood sugar levels, blood pressure and reducing my risk of falling again. The nurse on duty explained why I was at higher risk of falls and what I should do to prevent future falls.

2. Did a health care professional, pharmacist, nurse, doctor, or elder counselor advise you on your medication, diet, or exercise?

Yes. All my medications were explained to me in terms of their purpose and when they should be taken. A nutritionist reviewed my current diet and educated me on the importance of adhering to my meal plans, especially in controlling my blood sugar levels and managing hypertension.

Other than the meal plan, I was advised to avoid sugar, excess salt, and fat. Most doctors stressed the importance of physical exercise, and I was encouraged to take daily walks.

3. Who assisted you at home after your illness or operation?

My family members cared for me most times after discharge. My daughter and grandson are mostly around, and they ensure that I have taken my medications as needed and adhered to the instructions given during discharge.

4. Do you know of any assistance services, i.e., food, transportation, medication, that would help you stay in your home as you get older?

I am aware that I can order anything through an online app, and they get delivered to my home.

This includes food and medications, among other things.

Conclusion

3 Patient education empowers them to understand and cater to their health needs. From the above interview, the patient was well educated on important issues concerning his health. He is in a better position to self-manage and adheres to the instructions provided to him. Patient education influences healthcare in terms of improving compliance, preventing adverse outcomes, and enhancing the wellbeing of patients. The approach used by care providers should consider patient factors that may hinder effective education. This includes illiteracy, language differences, cultural beliefs, and attitude, among others. Information should also be communicated in a clear, concise, and consistent manner.

4 References Jotterand, F., Amodio, A., & Elger, B. S. (2016). Patient education as empowerment and selfrebiasing. Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 19(4), 553-561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-016-9702-9 Paterick, T. E., Patel, N., Tajik, A. J., & Chandrasekaran, K. (2017). Improving health outcomes through patient education and partnerships with patients. In Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings (Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 112-113). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2017.11929552