Barriers to perioperative patient teaching in Kuwait

1. Although nurses agree that perioperative instruction is an integral aspect of surgical nursing, in many hospitals, there is little evidence to show that active and planned patient teaching is being conducted. 2. Arab and non-Arab nurses differed in their perceptions about obstacles to patient teaching. Lack of time and language barriers emerged as the two outstanding barriers; lack of encouragement and support from co-nurses and patients' anxiety were considered weak barriers. 3. Failing to address these barriers and disregarding the short- and long-term benefits of structured patient teaching could lead to a new health worker, the health educator. This would further fragment patient care and weaken nurses' credibility.