Patient Teaching
Patient Teaching
HLST 320
Caroline C
December 31st, 2007
Introduction:
I have chosen breastfeeding as my teaching topic for this assignment. The specific clientèle will be the new mother at between 2 and 7 days postpartum, newly discharged from hospital. As a community health nurse working with children and young families, I do initial postpartum visits at home. Breastfeeding is a very complex skill, natural, yet sometimes difficult to do. The client is often overwhelmed with information received in hospital, so sessions must be kept short, and made easy to understand. The area in which I work is multicultural. There is often a language barrier which further complicates teaching and learning. Finding a teachable moment is easy (London, p. 95). New mothers are eager for help in providing the best for their babies. Mothers whose babies refuse to latch onto the breast or who have an incorrect latch, may sometimes become very tense and stressed. It is important to remain calm and supportive during teaching. The client must be educated, not simply taught new skills (Rankin, p. 73). The newly acquired information will allow her to make her own decisions and to be the head of her own health care team.
Assessment:
I have been working with postpartum women for the past 6 years, and have 3 children of my own. I am able to use my own personal experiences with breastfeeding, my last having stopped only 2 years ago. I work well with my co-workers, I know that I cannot do it alone (London, p.51). We help each other every step of the way and have a good back-up system available in the community. These include lactation consultants, breastfeeding clinics, doctors, social workers and community agencies.
The learner and her family are at the head of the team (London, p.47). They are usually very motivated to learn and ultimately want what is best for the baby. It is easier to form relationships
HLST 320
Caroline C
December 31st, 2007
Introduction:
I have chosen breastfeeding as my teaching topic for this assignment. The specific clientèle will be the new mother at between 2 and 7 days postpartum, newly discharged from hospital. As a community health nurse working with children and young families, I do initial postpartum visits at home. Breastfeeding is a very complex skill, natural, yet sometimes difficult to do. The client is often overwhelmed with information received in hospital, so sessions must be kept short, and made easy to understand. The area in which I work is multicultural. There is often a language barrier which further complicates teaching and learning. Finding a teachable moment is easy (London, p. 95). New mothers are eager for help in providing the best for their babies. Mothers whose babies refuse to latch onto the breast or who have an incorrect latch, may sometimes become very tense and stressed. It is important to remain calm and supportive during teaching. The client must be educated, not simply taught new skills (Rankin, p. 73). The newly acquired information will allow her to make her own decisions and to be the head of her own health care team.
Assessment:
I have been working with postpartum women for the past 6 years, and have 3 children of my own. I am able to use my own personal experiences with breastfeeding, my last having stopped only 2 years ago. I work well with my co-workers, I know that I cannot do it alone (London, p.51). We help each other every step of the way and have a good back-up system available in the community. These include lactation consultants, breastfeeding clinics, doctors, social workers and community agencies.
The learner and her family are at the head of the team (London, p.47). They are usually very motivated to learn and ultimately want what is best for the baby. It is easier to form relationships
Bibliography: Forrest, S. (2004). Learning and teaching: The reciprocal link. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 35(2), 74-79. London, F. (1999). No time to teach? A nurse’s guide to patient and family education. New York: Lippincott. Medela (2007) Your Resource for breastfeeding products and information. [on-line]. Available: http://www.medela.com. Rankin, S.H., Stallings, K.D., & London, F. (2005). Patient education in health and illness (5th ed.). New York: Lippincott.