Course description

This module aims to help the reader review what learning might entail when a patient experiences a health setback, to appreciate the necessity for patients to learn and to explore strategies that might enhance learning. The module assumes that nurses are working with patients at the outset of their learning journey, in an acute care hospital setting. It is beyond the scope of this module to discuss facilitation of learning over a protracted period, during which various agencies and professionals may have a role.

Don't forget that you do not have to complete our two-hour learning modules all in one go. Tailor your learning to fit into your busy schedule by undertaking one or two sections at a time. You can stop and save your learning at any point and pick up where you left off when you return.

Learning aims and intended outcomes

• Review your current understanding of learning and explain why learning is different for patients
• Describe what is meant by ?education'
• Outline why emotional support is crucial to patients learning to self-care after an illness or injury
• Examine the importance of attitudes, beliefs and values in helping patients to believe that they can take responsibility for their health after an illness or injury
• Describe some simple measures to enable initiation of the learning process, as a basis for further learning when the patient returns home