Part four: Practical step 1 – Assessing the patient’s educational needs

Before we can provide effective patient education, we first need to understand what our patient already knows, what they believe, and what concerns them. Think of it this way: Would you prescribe strengthening exercises without first assessing a patient’s strength? Of course not. Patient education should be no different.

Just as we assess a patient’s physical condition before designing a treatment plan, we must assess their learning needs, readiness, and barriers before providing education. Skipping this step risks delivering information that is irrelevant, overwhelming, or misaligned with their priorities. By taking the time to explore what our patient already understands, clarify their expectations, and uncover any concerns, we create a strong foundation for effective patient education.

This section explores practical, simple strategies to assess a patient’s learning needs through targeted questioning and active listening. By using structured approaches, such as the ESFT  (explanatory/social/fears/treatment) model, and simple, effective techniques, we can ensure that education is not only delivered, but understood, valued, and applied by the patient.