Competencies necessary to conduct patient and self-care education in the medical setting

The education of patients has recently taken on increasing importance in the medical community due to the following factors: The escalation in the costs associated with health care The competition for patients The realization that it is wiser to prevent illness and disease than to treat them once they occur The recognition that patients need to access the health care system less frequently if they know how to provide self-care This article presents the rationale for patient and self-care education. It also describes the settings in which patient and self-care education occur, with particular emphasis on private practice medical care. Specific guidelines for the selection of patient educators are also recommended. Finally, implications of the adoption of these recommendations are explored.