CLINICAL

Policies & Procedures
/ Number / 2118
Applies to:
[X] GreatRiver Health System
[ ]GreatRiverMedicalCenter [] GreatRiver Clinics
[] Hospital [] Clinics
[] Klein [] Heritage
[] Home Care/Hospice

Clinical Page 1 of 3

2118

Teach-Back Methodology

PURPOSE:

Define the use of teach-back methodology for use with patient teaching. In using the teach-back technique, clinicians take responsibility for adequate teaching. If patients cannot explain or demonstrate what they should do, clinicians must assume that they did not provide patients with an adequate explanation or understandable instructions.

POLICY:

The teach-back technique should replace the more common practice of simply asking a patient, “Do you understand what I have told you?” Experience shows that patients often answer “yes” to such questions, even when they understand nothing.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS:

Teach-Back: Asking a patient to repeat in their own words what they need to know or do based on what they were taught. The “teach-back” technique is an effective method for ensuring that patients understand what you have told them.

PROCEDURE:

1)Plan Your Approach: Think about how you will ask your patients to teach-back information based on the topic you are reviewing. Keep in mind that some situations will not be appropriate for using the teach-back method.

2)Use Handouts/Krames Teaching Sheets/Zone Tools: Reviewing written materials to reinforce the teaching points can be very helpful for patient understanding.

3)Ask Patient to Teach-Back: Do not ask a patient, “Do you understand?” Instead, ask patients to explain or demonstrate how they will undertake a recommended treatment or intervention.

4)Clarify: If the patient does not explain correctly, assume that you have not provided adequate teaching. If patients cannot remember or accurately repeat what you asked them, clarify your information or directions and allow them to teach-back again. Do this until the patient is able to correctly describe in their own words what they are going to do, without parroting back what you said.

5)Consider Using the Ask-Me-3: Ask the following three questions after providing education to the patient:

  • What is your main problem?
  • What do you need to do (about the problem)?
  • Why is it important for you to do this?

6)Key Points:

  • The "Teach Back" Method is simply asking your patients to repeat in their own words what they need to do to maintain their optimum level of health. This method allows you to check your patient's understanding of your medical instructions.
  • If your patient is not able to repeat the key concepts accurately, re-phrase the information rather than just repeat it. Then, ask the patient to repeat the instructions or key concepts again until you feel comfortable that the patient really understands the information.

8) Examples of Teach Back:

  • “I want to be sure I explained everything clearly.Can you please explain it back to me so I can besure I did?”
  • “Can you tell me in your own words how often andwhen you need to use your asthma inhalers(puffers)?”
  • “I want to be sure I did a good job of showing you how to use the call light. Can you show me howyou will use it if you need help getting out of bed?”
  • “I want you to explain to me how you will take your medication, so I can be sure I have explained everything correctly,”
  • “Please show me how you will use the asthma inhaler, so I can be sure I have given you clear instructions.”
  • “When you get home your spouse will ask you what the doctor said—what will you tell your spouse?”

Approved By:

Teresa Colgan, Vice President of Nursing Date

Signatures on file

Policy Author:

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Acute Care Director

Date:

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June 2015

Endorsements:

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Staff Development Council

References

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Help Your Patients Succeed: Tips for Improving Communication With Your Patients

Health Literacy and Patient Safety: Help Patients Understand. 2nd Edition. Weiss, Barry M.D. 2007.

Links to Related Documents:

Kay Search Words/Phrases:

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Teach-Back

Review Dates:

Revision Dates:

Next Review Due:

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June 2012

Clinical Page 1 of 3

2118

Clinical Page 1 of 3

2118