Health Literacy, Patient Education, and Prevention

Catalog description

The principles of teaching/learning, health literacy, and barriers/facilitators of learning are explored and applied to self and others. Students learn a patient-centered approach to patient education, including assessing readiness for learning, adapting instruction to the learner’s needs, and evaluating learning outcomes. Students compare/contrast behavior change theories/models as they apply to individual patients or communities. Historical examples of prevention campaigns (seat belts, helmets, infant sleeping positions, masks) are evaluated. Legal/ethical issues surrounding patient education and physical therapist scope of practice is analyzed as related to screening, health promotion, prevention, and wellness services. Appropriate referral to community resources (smoking cessation, AA, exercise programs) is discussed through case vignettes and/or community experiences.