Purpose and scope
The aim of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for registered nurses, registered practical nurses and other health-care providers to facilitate client-centred learning that promotes and enables clients to take action for their health.
Regardless of how client-centred learning is framed (self-care, self-management, client teaching, client education, health teaching), the recommendations and related strategies can be used in any setting across the continuum of care. However, this BPG focuses on adults over the age of 18.
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Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2012). Facilitating Client Centred Learning. Toronto, Canada: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.
Recommendations
Do you want to learn about and implement the most- up-to-date evidence-based recommendations on this topic with your colleagues? Download and share the full best practice guideline (BPG), Facilitating Client Centred Learning.
See below for a snapshot of the recommendations from this BPG. We strongly suggest you review the full BPG before implementing the recommendations and good practice statements. The BPG also includes further resources to support implementation and evaluation.
Recommendation 1: Create a safe, shame- and blame-free environment to assess client learning.
Recommendation 2: Use a universal precautions approach for health literacy to create a safe, shame- and blame-free environment.
Recommendation 3: Assess the learning needs of the client.
Recommendation 4: Tailor your approach and educational design by collaborating with the client and the interprofessional team.
Recommendation 5: Engage in more structured and intentional approaches when facilitating client centred learning.
Recommendation 6: Use plain language, pictures and illustrations to promote health literacy.
Recommendation 7: Use a combination of educational strategies for effective learning:
- Printed Materials
- Telephone
- Audiotapes
- Video
- Computer-based technology and multimedia presentations
Recommendation 8: Assess client learning.
Recommendation 9: Communicate client centred learning effectively with:
a. The client; and
b. The interprofessional team
Recommendation 10: Introduce the L.E.A.R.N.S. Model into nursing programs and continuing education courses.
Recommendation 11: Reflect on the integration of the L.E.A.R.N.S. Model into everyday practice.
Recommendation 12: Commit adequate resources to support structured approaches to facilitate client centred learning.
Recommendation 13: Integrate the L.E.A.R.N.S. Model in the delivery of care and services through inclusion in strategic plans and organizational goals.
Recommendation 14: Develop documentation tools to support effective communication of client centred learning.
Recommendation 15: Implement nursing best practice guidelines where there is adequate planning, strategies, resources, organizational and administrative support and appropriate facilitation of guideline uptake among clinicians.
Disclaimer: These guidelines are not binding for nurses, other health providers or the organizations that employ them. The use of these guidelines should be flexible and based on individual needs and local circumstances. They constitute neither a liability nor discharge from liability. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents at the time of publication, neither the authors nor the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) gives any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them or accepts any liability with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omission in the contents of this work.
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