Today’s patient both needs and wants as much information as possible about their care, so that they can feel informed and empowered to make proactive decisions. A recent article notes that the best way to fill this need and enhance quality is to develop a dynamic in which the provider partners with the patient to optimize care.
Why patient education matters
Patient education is more than a supplementary step in healthcare - it is the foundation for lasting patient engagement and better health outcomes. Research shows that patients who receive clear, evidence-based materials feel more empowered, leading to enhanced treatment adherence, reduced readmissions, and higher satisfaction. For healthcare providers, the benefits extend to streamlined workflows, increased efficiency, and alignment with value-based care initiatives. This Expert Insight explores how providers can use patient education to build trust, improve outcomes, and foster ongoing partnerships with their patients.
The key to healthcare success: Empowering patients
Who is this for:
This guide is for healthcare providers - including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists - who are looking for practical strategies to improve patient education efforts. Whether you are searching for the best tools for engaging patients, exploring ways to personalize educational materials, or looking to integrate them into existing workflows, this post answers your questions and offers actionable solutions.
What the problem solves:
Providing effective patient education often seems overwhelming. Outdated materials, low health literacy, and busy workflows create friction, leaving providers struggling to meet patients where they are. We will address these challenges by breaking down steps to design accessible, relatable, and evidence-backed educational content.
5 steps to transform patient education
1. Educate patients with accessible materials
Patient education begins with clear and accessible materials. Think beyond jargon-heavy pamphlets - modern tools should be designed to resonate with diverse patient groups, addressing varying levels of health literacy, socioeconomic backgrounds, and languages. Further, delivering accessible discharge instructions is crucial to patient success.
- Best practice tip: Use materials written at a 6th-grade reading level and ensure multilingual availability. Research shows that these adjustments significantly improve patient comprehension and engagement.
- Real-world example: UpToDate Patient Education ensures all materials adhere to readability standards and are accessible in over 20 languages, ensuring inclusivity
2. Engage patients with personalized tools
Engagement drives deeper understanding and motivates patients to take a proactive role in their care. Providers should personalize educational resources to reflect individual concerns, cultural backgrounds, and preferences.
- How to personalize for the patient:
- Embed visual aids, like infographics, for visual learners
- Offer digital engagement tools like multimedia patient engagement solutions or mobile apps that allow real-time feedback and Q&A.
- Real-world use case: A bilingual patient portal could include simplified videos explaining post-surgical care steps, paired with engagement analytics to track use.
Why it matters
Studies show that personalization in patient education boosts adherence by over 25%, reducing costly complications. Explore the importance of deeper engagement strategies in this Expert Insight.
3. Activate patients for preventative care
Education and engagement naturally lead to activation - patients who understand their health are more likely to participate in important preventive measures, such as screenings or wellness check-ups.
- Key activation strategies
- Share condition-specific statistics to underscore the importance of early intervention
- Encourage shared decision-making with tools like decision aids embedded within Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
- Real-world example: UpToDate integrates decision aids directly into clinical workflows, enabling patients and providers to collaborate during visits without adding extra steps.
Outcome: A well-informed patient is nearly 40% more likely to schedule preventive services, reducing long-term healthcare costs. For a broader approach to activating patients, see this related post by our team of experts.
4. Coach patients with digital solutions
Coaching extends patient education beyond the clinic. Digital tools like mobile health apps and virtual visits can reinforce learning while simplifying adherence tracking.
- How to coach patients digitally:
- Use spaced-education models, breaking down information into manageable steps over time.
- Implement reminders sent via text or email about upcoming appointments or medication regimens.
- Example impact: Virtual diabetes coaching programs have reduced HbA1c levels by an average of 0.7%, according to recent studies.
Technology spotlight
UpToDate integrates human-centered design and behavioral science into its patient education platform—a proven method to sustain patient interest and ensure better learning outcomes.
5. Partner with patients for sustained engagement
The ultimate goal of patient education is to move beyond a transactional relationship to a collaborative partnership. This requires continuous dialogue, empathetic communication, and trust-building interactions.
- Actionable steps: Schedule annual check-ins with patients to review progress and update care plans. Use feedback tools to learn how patients perceive and apply the materials you provide.
- Why it works:
- Patients who perceive their provider as a partner rather than an authority figure report 22% higher satisfaction scores, according to HCAHPS data. The concept of building true partnership is explored further in this Medical Economics article.
