Patient teaching speeches

Kiwidanni · Oct 11, 2011

Umm shouldn't patient teaching be interactive, rather than speechy?

AJPV · Oct 11, 2011

I find that it helps keep the patient's attention if I stand behind a portable lectern

Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2011

Say to them what you would want said to you. No one likes a nurse that interrupts their moment of quiet for some care plan directions. Teach when you answer their questions. I'm no advocate of canned spills, sorry.

srRN912 · Oct 12, 2011

okay, perhaps i did not word it correctly since everyones comments werent too nice. does everyone agree that certain things need to be taught to all patients, and there are some points that need to be covered?? well i'd like to hear the things that people cover, or what they've found that works to help their patients understand

somedayCNM, CNM · Oct 12, 2011

OP: I get where you're coming from. I'm in the middle of orientation to Labor and Delivery after two years in Med-Surg and half the battle here seems to be how do I ask (in a polite and PC way) all these weird questions and what teaching goes along with them. I'm finding that everyone has different knowledge levels and require different levels of explanation, but with everything there are key points to cover. I think your question is a little broad to get much of a response from this forum, especially from those who seem to take the word "speech" literally. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the risks, benefits, and alternatives, but take your cues from your patient's personality and knowledge level. Good luck!

goltzilocks · Oct 12, 2011

Ajpv: seriously luv your sensr of humor. Seriously cracking up!!!

seizetheday · Oct 12, 2011

I really think for teaching to be effective it has to be tailored to the patient. What is their baseline knowledge, what factors might influence their understanding and utilizing of the information, what quantity and depth of information is appropriate to this person. Teaching can look wildly different. You can't teach at people...not much will sink in.

RNLaborNurse4U · Oct 16, 2011

I have my own little spiels for different things: epidurals, pitocin induction/augmentation, prostaglandin gel induction, cytotec induction, how to push, hospital policy of non-separation of mother and baby (aka: what to expect in the first hours after the birth), breastfeeding hints and tips, how to bottlefeed your baby, etc.

That being said, I adjust my spiels for each topic, depending upon that patient's level of education/understanding, how they seem to learn best, and I also feel that my spiel is just the start of a very interactive teaching process that changes and molds to fit that particular person/family. Some families, I need to use very basic, 5th/6th grade language, others I can use medical jargon (to a certain degree), while others may need pictures and diagrams.

It all really varies!

ChloBear · Oct 21, 2011

I'm also on orientation in L&D/Postpartum (new grad). I understand that it's best to tailor teaching to each patient, but I think that's challenging when you're first starting out and you're not totally comfortable with the material yourself. I think that's where the need for a "speech" comes in. Do you have access to CareNotes at your facility? They are written instructions that you can give to patients. You can also use them to help you remember which teaching points are most important. Patient teaching, like most things in nursing, is something that just gets easier with practice. Don't be too hard on yourself if you stumble a little in the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Fyreflie1980 · Oct 22, 2011

I always start with asking what they want to know! I find, too, that if you're with someone over a period of time, things come up and are answered in a really organic way.....

That being said, I usually try to sit down with a patient when I admit them and quickly go over what to expect over the course of the labor--from what we'll ask them to do if there are decels (flipping, turning, oxygen, fluid etc.) to who might be present at delivery (extras in case of mec, etc.). I find it really helps if we've at least touched on some of the possibilities, if those things do happen during the labour it's a lot less scary for them if they know what's going on!

In terms of C/S I don't generally do a huge amount of teaching on that unless it comes to a point where it looks likely. I don't sugar coat things, if someone asks if a c/s is a possibility and they've been having a crap tracing for ages I'll usually say that it's possible and here are the things to remember if it does go that way.

You'll learn your own "speech" as you go along, just remember to tailor it to the family (i.e. you can skip the breastfeeding speech if you have a grand multip who has breastfed 7 kids!) and pay attention to their particular learning needs!