The scope for health education in the accident and emergency department

This paper addresses the relevance and implementation of health education in the Accident & Emergency (A & E) department. The functions of an A & E department and the changing role of A & E nursing are introduced and the scope for health education in A & E is critically discussed. Factors which influence effective and realistic health education, such as inequalities of health, locus of control and the environment within a busy A & E department, are briefly explored. Finally, some recommendations for the implementation of realistic, meaningful health education are offered.