Patient health education literature: Maximising its effect

Abstract

Modern healthcare delivery is concerned with actively engaging patients in such a way that independence and self-control is attainable. This is particularly important for those woth chronic disease, requiring lifelong learning and consequential lifestyle adjustment. Patient education offers an enabling opportunity for patients to access information and resources that facilitate self-management skills. One facet of patient educational practices involves the use of health education literature. Health professionals are ideally placed to develop or make available the most appropriate patient focused literature. However, these professionals must have the necessary knowledge and skills to determine the validity of such educational material. This paper provides an overview of salient issues and advice to guide health professionals in their choice of health education literature to be incorporated into patient care.