Critical Path education: necessary components and effective strategies

Proper use of Critical Paths based on a solid educational foundation aids caregivers in meeting the ultimate challenge of today's healthcare environment: to provide a higher quality of care at a lower cost. The components for a comprehensive educational program for Critical Paths include general principles, Path contents, Path development, guidelines for documentation, variance data collection and evaluation. A strategy to provide large numbers of staff with background information is through the use of self-learning packets; the case study approach is an appropriate strategy for Path specific education. Evaluation data indicate that both strategies are effective in assisting staff to develop and implement Critical Paths.