Wheels within wheels: creating a circle of knowledge through communication

For end-stage renal disease patients, patient education is a critical aspect of treatment and wellness. A successful patient education program depends on knowing the target audience and choosing materials and media according to what they already know and what they want and need to learn. Understanding how people learn and selecting an educational model to guide the creation of an educational program provide the underpinnings for an effective presentation. Selection of materials and medium and determining who, when, where, and how the program is conducted optimize the potential for learning. This article presents and illustrates part of The Renal Network's (ESRD Networks 9/10) outreach, communication, and programming efforts to bring all of these elements together in educational activities suitable for a diverse and significantly older population of patients across a 4-state area. It highlights The Renal Network's use and support of the Patient Advisory Council Representative as a patient leader undertaking activities on the facility level to provide patient-to-patient assistance, information sharing, and educational opportunities for fellow patients at their facility. This article shows how the Network initiated a consistent flow of information to facilitate the identification, assessment, selection, media, and means for its patient education activities.