BIOETHICS and Patient Education

R.A.S HEMAT, MB;BCh, FRCSI, DUL.

The commercialisation and corporation of medicine within the current economic paradigm of thinking is turning medicine into a medical-industrial complex in which economic and conflict-of-interest considerations dominate.

The effective practice of medicine requires a combination of scientific knowledge and artistry. Teachers of medical ethics should enable health professionals to frame moral issues in appropriate terms. Education must lead to competent medical practitioners; the medical education environment must provide and teach high standards of care, and the educational system must be concerned with interpersonal relationships and structured in a way, which will prevent dehumanisation. The development of a procedural structure for decision-making not only facilitates collective decision-making by health professionals, the family and other involved parties, but also opens the decision-making process to public scrutiny. The necessity for both classroom and bedside components to the teaching programme inevitably means that the teaching team should include both those professionals skilled in teaching.... etc.

The teaching team should be multi- and inter-disciplinary, co-ordination and control should be undertaken by a person or persons with a broad and liberal approach, and knowledge of the subject.

Patient education is a planned learning experience using a combination of methods such as teaching, counselling, and behaviour modification techniques that influence patient’s knowledge and health behaviour. The basic steps for conducting patient education include: 1- assessing educational needs, 2- planning the teaching process, 3- implementation, and 4- evaluation.

Quality of life (QoL) is commonly viewed as a subjective evaluation of the experience of life and, as such, is dependent on the individual’s own perspective, expectations, and values.

Every medical decision involves human beings, both as decision-makers and as those who have to live with the decisions.

Patient education is a planned learning experience using a combination of methods such as teaching, counselling, and behaviour modification techniques that influence patient’s knowledge and health behaviour. Locally produced materials make less use of more complex technologies such as audio- and videotapes, computer programs, computer technologies that provide interactive video capabilities, and illustrations. Effective patient teaching is dependent upon process and content.

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Dr. R.A.S HEMAT declares no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this article, including grants, employment, stock holdings, gifts, or honoraria.