Bridging the gaps in patient education through aesthetic-based education: A concept analysis study

Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that has been entered into the philosophy of education for a long time. Reviewing the concept of aesthetics in education, we can see the components that can cover a number of challenges in the field of patient education. Focusing on the conceptual dimensions obtained from the analysis of this concept, the aim is matching the resulting conceptual categories with the gaps in the field of patient education.

Using a scoping review, we reviewed the literature dealt with different dimensions of aesthetic-based education. Walker and Avant's concept analysis approach was used to inductively analyze the content obtained from the review of literature. The data were divided into three general groups of antecedents, attributes, and consequences of the aesthetic-based education concept, and the final conceptual model was defined. Interdisciplinary comparisons between educational and medical sciences were made to match the concept of aesthetic education with the field of patient education to cover its issues. During the scope review process of the texts, after screening the articles, 17 articles selected to enter the concept analysis stage.

Concept analysis phase showed that the main conceptual categories of antecedents of aesthetic-based education are aesthetic-based intrapersonal competencies and aesthetic capacities of educational setting. The attributes include aesthetic-based educational content and teaching methods including unity in diversity, combination with art and being based on empathy. The consequences include subliminal learning and constraint-free learning. These conceptual dimensions can cover four important issues in patient education including patient satisfaction, pedagogical competences of health educators, patient centeredness, and empathetic relationship.

Applying aesthetic concept in the patient education process can bridge part of the gaps in this process. So, this study can be an introduction to future innovative models based on aesthetic paradigm in the field of patient education.