Overview of Education in Health Care
Chapter 1
Overview of Education in
Health Care
Historical Foundations of the Nurse Educator Role
• Health education has long been considered a standard care-giving role of the nurse.
• Patient teaching is recognized as an independent nursing function.
• Nursing practice has expanded to include education in the broad concepts of health and illness.
Organizations and Agencies Promulgating
Standards and Mandates:
1. NLNE (NLN)
first observed health teaching as an important function within the scope of nursing practice
responsible for identifying course content for curriculum on principles of teaching and learning 2. ANA
responsible for establishing standards and qualifications for practice, including patient teaching
3. ICN
endorses health education as an essential component of nursing care delivery
4. State Nurse Practice Acts
universally includes teaching within the scope of nursing practice
5. JCAHO
accreditation mandates require evidence of patient education to improve outcomes
6. AHA
Patient’s Bill of Rights ensures that clients receive complete and current information
7. Pew Health Professions Commission
puts forth a set of health profession competencies for the 21st century
over one-half of recommendations pertain to importance of patient and staff education
Trends Affecting Health Care
Social, economic, and political forces that affect a nurse’s role in teaching:
• federal initiatives outlined in Healthy People 2010
• growth of managed care
• increased attention to health and well-being of everyone in society
• cost containment measures to control
• healthcare expenses
• concern for continuing education as vehicle to prevent malpractice and incompetence
• expanding scope and depth of nurses’ practice responsibilities
• consumers demanding more knowledge and skills for self-care
• demographic trends influencing type and amount of health care needed
• recognition of
Overview of Education in
Health Care
Historical Foundations of the Nurse Educator Role
• Health education has long been considered a standard care-giving role of the nurse.
• Patient teaching is recognized as an independent nursing function.
• Nursing practice has expanded to include education in the broad concepts of health and illness.
Organizations and Agencies Promulgating
Standards and Mandates:
1. NLNE (NLN)
first observed health teaching as an important function within the scope of nursing practice
responsible for identifying course content for curriculum on principles of teaching and learning 2. ANA
responsible for establishing standards and qualifications for practice, including patient teaching
3. ICN
endorses health education as an essential component of nursing care delivery
4. State Nurse Practice Acts
universally includes teaching within the scope of nursing practice
5. JCAHO
accreditation mandates require evidence of patient education to improve outcomes
6. AHA
Patient’s Bill of Rights ensures that clients receive complete and current information
7. Pew Health Professions Commission
puts forth a set of health profession competencies for the 21st century
over one-half of recommendations pertain to importance of patient and staff education
Trends Affecting Health Care
Social, economic, and political forces that affect a nurse’s role in teaching:
• federal initiatives outlined in Healthy People 2010
• growth of managed care
• increased attention to health and well-being of everyone in society
• cost containment measures to control
• healthcare expenses
• concern for continuing education as vehicle to prevent malpractice and incompetence
• expanding scope and depth of nurses’ practice responsibilities
• consumers demanding more knowledge and skills for self-care
• demographic trends influencing type and amount of health care needed
• recognition of