[Innovative concepts for patient education in medical rehabilitation]

Patient education aims to empower rehabilitants. While patient education has, in the past, been conceived of as providing solely information, modern self-management concepts now focus on both behavioral competencies and motivational factors. Participants receive all the skills and tools necessary to make informed decisions regarding both their health and lifestyles and to actively participate in the rehabilitation process. Accordingly, didactic methods have changed from predominantly vertical lectures to more patient-oriented and interactive approaches. Meta-analyses have proven that patient education is effective in improving the chronic conditions of patients. However, the implementation of modern concepts into routine care is still suboptimal. The Center of Patient Education, funded by the German Statutory Pension Insurance, has performed a survey of the present state of patient education within medical rehabilitation programs in Germany. Furthermore, quality criteria for patient education have been developed, an internet database presenting self-management programs in a systematic manner has been created, and various services designed to improve educational practice are being offered by the Center of Patient Education. Lastly, a state-of-the-art, self-management education program is described.