Educational Theory and Cognitive Science: Practical Principles to Improve Patient Education.

There can be multiple barriers to implementation of patient education, yet there are also multiple modalities and opportunities for engaging patients. Using frameworks and evidence from multiple disciplines can inform nursing design of patient education approaches. This article provides an introduction to educational theory and cognitive science principles such as constructivism, metacognition, deliberate practice, and cognitive load for consideration in improving the effectiveness and outcomes of patient education.