Perceived Effectiveness, Cost, and Availability of Patient Education Methods and Materials

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of and need for patient education methods and media, a needs assessment was sent to 816 members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Respondents (n = 325, 40%) included 62% RNs, 36% RDs, 1% other; 62% CDEs. Their mean number of years experience in diabetes education was 8.5, and 99% routinely provided patient education. Respondents indicated that videotapes and slide tapes were the most educationally effective media and books and audiotapes were the least effective. Booklets and videotapes were the most cost-effective and computer-assisted instruction the least effective. While respondents perceived one-to-one counseling, skills training, and diabetes content sessions to be the three most educationally effective methods, support groups and large and small discussion groups were seen as the three most cost-effective educational methods. Among nine potential barriers to quality patient education listed, educators rated lack of third-party reimbursement as a major barrier most frequently and national availability of quality education materials as a barrier least frequently.

Solving the barriers to diabetes education through the use of multimedia

“…, 2004). Funnell et al. (1992) suggested that the barriers to diabetes education were patients' lack of motivation and lack of financial support, the cost of education materials, and a lack of support from physicians.…”

“…However, the main impeding factors, as cited by educators, included a lack of awareness, limited access to education, barriers to follow‐up (Sprague et al. , 1999), and a lack of motivation (Funnell et al. , 1992).…”

Education Methods and Techniques for Training Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients

“…Depending on when the study was performed, the results of published information vary tremendously. One study evaluated the education methods being used and being perceived as important among 816 American Association of Diabetes educators 15 with an average of 8.5 years of experience in patient education. This group believed that videotapes and slide tapes were the most beneficial educational media.…”

Importance of Format and Design in Print Patient Information

“…3, 6 This may be related to the fact that print materials allow the reinforcement of content by making it possible for patients to take them home to review. 2…”

“…Additionally, many healthcare professionals report that they are unaware of available computer resources, 7 and educators in one study report that computer databases or programs were used only by a small number of patients. 2 This is unfortunate because computer databases provide current knowledge that is easily updated, and print copies can be produced from them to allow the individual to review the literature at a later time. 8…”