A practical approach to assessing patient learning needs.

A practical approach for assessing patient education needs in the ambulatory care setting was developed, tested, and administered to 100 individuals with four non-acute clinical problems. The approach allowed collection, with a single instrument, of a range of information pertinent to the management of a wide mix of disorders. Knowledge about diagnosis, medications, nonmedicinal procedures, emergency situations, and prognosis was collected as well as self-estimation of knowledge and personal information needs.While the assessment can be conducted by a physician, nurse, mid-level practitioner, or health educator in approximately five minutes, it can also be conducted in approximately ten minutes by other appropriately trained personnel. The information gained is useful to clinicians, health educators, and administrators. This practical approach to the assessment of patient learning needs is considered to have applicability for numerous conditions and a variety of clinical settings. The condensed patient learning needs assessment tool is provided (Table 1).