TEACH-BACK METHOD IN PATIENT EDUCATION

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Patient education is critical for protecting and improving the health of individuals, increasing compliance with the disease, improving clinical outcomes, and reducing hospitalizations. The teach-back method is known as the “show-me” method or "close the loop" method. It enables the patient's understanding by asking them to explain in their own words what a health provider has just explained to them. The purpose of this review is to introduce the basic principles of the teach-back method in patient education and explain the effects on patient outcomes and families.
Material and methods: The literature review was conducted between 12 and 19 May 2023. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Turkish Thesis Center databases were searched. The keywords of "teach-back method" and "patient education" were used for the literature review.
Results and discussion: In the teach-back method, the individual is asked to express what he needs to know or do about his health or illness in his own words and using keywords. The teach-back method is used for improving health literacy, personal care, drug compliance, self-management skills, and communication between patients and providers. It supports health literacy, increases patient satisfaction, encourages the patient's participation in care, and strengthens safety and the quality of care.
Conclusion: The best example of individualized evidence-based education interventions is the teach-back method. Standardization and developing an approach for improving effective education using the teach-back method improves the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes. There is limited research about the effects of the method on adjustment to illness, patient outcomes, and different patient populations.