What are the main ideas to remember when training patients?
• Always prepare the learner with what he or she is going to learn, what the trainer will be doing, what the learner will do, and how both of you will know that learning has occurred. In the self efficacy theory of learning, the patient must believe he is capable of performing the required skills. This is accomplished with simple task repetition at each step of a procedure. It can be enhanced by encouragement (“Good, you are doing that correctly.”) or support (“Be careful where you place your fingers.”) or fear (“This kind of mistake could cause peritonitis.”). • Restrict the educational content to three or four key messages per hour of instruction. • Structure and ritual in procedures give security to both the learner and the teacher. • Role playing is an effective way to rehearse new skills or rehearse for future difficulties. Nurses may role play with one another when trying out techniques for training. Patients may role play with the use of the practice catheter to practice procedu
