Taking AIM: how to teach primary and secondary prevention effectively

Optimization of lifestyle factors by quitting smoking, losing weight, eating right and starting an exercise regimen is the cornerstone of treatment for dyslipidemias, diabetes and heart disease. Any health care practitioner who has recommended lifestyle changes to a patient knows the inherent difficulty for most patients who try to implement and adhere to such behaviour changes. Patient education is a fundamental component of comprehensive clinical care and is a necessary antecedent to behaviour change. Through effective patient education, patients can learn primary and secondary prevention strategies, decrease their risk status and make better lifestyle choices in order to optimize their health and well being. Providing patient education, however, can be a complex task and requires the health care practitioner to go beyond simply telling the patient what to do. How can health care providers be more effective in their teaching efforts? Integrating key theoretical perspectives on patient education and using a sound, consistent approach in teaching patients will improve the efficacy of patient education and ensure a more proficient implementation of this role in the context of clinical practice. Taking 'AIM' is one such approach: Assess the learner, Identify barriers to learning, and Motivate the patient to make changes.