How does one teach patients chronic illness to take responsibility for their condition and become valuable partners with health care providers? This is a question that is always in the thoughts of those who design and implement self-management programs. In a review on patient education in heart failure, Edwardson noted that the preparation of chronically ill patients for self-care has traditionally rested on the assumption that patients require certain knowledge and skills. However, the author continued by pointing out that a review of the subject of patient education in heart failure suggests that although teaching patients about the care of a chronic condition is necessary, it may be more effective if supplemented by continuing reinforcement, symptom monitoring, and behavioral reinforcement by an interdisciplinary team. Edwardson concluded by noting that nurses have an opportunity and a responsibility to dissect and test the teaching-learning process in heart failure.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: What Edwardson found does help improve the role of patient’s in caring for their condition. What was not explained, however, was that those teaching patients must accomplish two aims: teaching patient self-management skills and insuring that they perform the skills. Self-management education alone rarely works, but when accompanied by monitoring patient performance, it plays an invaluable role in caring for a chronic illness. The skills found in the review can strengthen patient performance and help maintain it over time. Nurses can be invaluable role in monitoring these skills in their patients.

S.R. Edwardson. Patient education in heart failure. Heart and Lung, 2007;36:244-252.