Patient Education During Hospitalization From the Perspective of Nurse Managers: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore patient education in surgical and medical wards from the perspective of nurse managers. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 28 nurse managers from 34 wards in two hospitals, using content analysis. Three themes were identified. The first "Characteristics of patient education" highlights the definitions, goals, and interdisciplinary nature of patient education, emphasizing its role in promoting autonomy and safe discharge. The second "Delivering patient education" focuses on the content, methods, and timing of education. While some managers supported routine care integration, others preferred dedicated sessions, highlighting a need for flexibility in approaches. The third "Evaluating and Improving Patient Education" examines assessment strategies, outcome tracking, and quality maintenance. Effective patient education was linked to reduced readmissions and fewer support calls. Documentation was seen as both essential and burdensome. The study underscores the complexity and benefits of patient education while addressing challenges like time constraints and workload. Recommended strategies include staff training, developing educational tools, structured but flexible approaches, enhanced documentation, and fostering interprofessional collaboration.