Assessment
Effective patient education is based on a learning needs assessment. Health care professionals assess by interviewing the patient and family, communicating with the medical team and/or observing the patient. An examination of barriers that impact delivery of care is key in the development of a tailored plan to meet the needs, abilities and preferences of the patient. These practices empower patients to change behaviors and are referred to as “patient-centered” care.
Assessment Steps
- Assess sociodemographic information as well as support system, culture/values/beliefs and barriers to learning.
- Assess learning needs based on current health issues, knowledge and worries.
- Assess patient engagement in learning process (patient’s goals and priorities, motivation to learn).
- Assess learning preferences (verbal, written, visuals, multi-media, technology).
- Consider specific assessment tools.
Back to Guidelines Homepage
| Assessment Steps |
Explanations/Examples/Scripts |
Ref List |
| 1. Collect Information |
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Review culture, social support and sociodemographic information directly with patient or from health record. Includes:
- Age
- Gender/preferred pronoun
- Ethnicity
- Social determinants of health: education, socioeconomic status, access to food and health care
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- Establish rapport, use caring tone and note body language.
- Address culture, values, attitudes, beliefs:
- “Do you have any beliefs or feelings related to your health condition that we need to know so we can help you learn to care for yourself?”
- "What do you fear most about your sickness?"
- Inquire about social support network:
- “Who is your family member or friend who can help you with your healthcare?”
Note: Higher education and/or social economic status does not indicate better understanding of information. |
List 1 |
| 2. Current Status |
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| Address patient concerns and priorities first, then current knowledge and physical abilities. |
- “What are you most concerned about?”
- “What do you do at home now to care for yourself?”
- “Do you know anyone who has this condition?”
- “What do you know about caring for someone with diabetes?”
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List 2 |
| 3. Patient Engagement |
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| Assess patient confidence related to treatment plan adherence; self-efficacy |
- “Based on our discussion, here are the top 3 concerns you have for your health. What would you like to learn first?”
- “On a scale of 0 to 5, zero being low and five being high, how would you rate your confidence that you can follow your instructions and care for yourself at home?”
- “What would you do if you have questions or doubts?”
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List 3 |
| 4. Learning Preferences |
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| Consider a variety of options and best timing for education. |
- “The last time you had to learn something, how did you go about it?”
- “How do you learn best/prefer to learn?”
- Reading
- Demonstration
- Video
- Verbal
- Technology
- Before offering technology (internet, patient portal, smart phone, computer, apps) ask:
- “What technology do you use?”
- “What technology are you interested in using?”
- Best time to teach may be based on patient’s pain level, toileting needs, family member or friend support availability, quiet environment.
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List 4 |
| 5. Specific Assessment Tools |
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Health care professionals have the option to use specific assessment tools.
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- Pre- and post-tests are designed to measure changes in self-care knowledge and/or behavior.
- Assessment tools are typically used in research and quality improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge/behavior assessments are used for specific health education.
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List 5 |
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