Devoting more attention to educating patients may seem like a luxury, but in the long run it can improve patients' adherence to treatment, increase patients' well-being, and save the physician's time. The following general measures can help you inform patients and their caregivers about medical conditions and their treatment. Identify and discuss lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise that can facilitate or impede the patient's health. Although other members of the medical team can play key roles in educating patients and caregivers, what the physician says generally receives greatest credence. Therefore, begin by providing the main information and advice yourself.
Some patients refrain from asking questions even if they want more information.
Be aware of this tendency and make information available even if it is not requested. Encourage the patient to ask questions. Indicate who in addition to yourself can answer questions that arise later. Provide information through more than one channel. In addition to giving information orally, use or supply materials such as factsheets, drawings, models, videotapes, or audiotapes.