Interviewing Tips and Time Savers

• Emphasize survival skills. Give the patient what he/she wants and needs to know.
  
• Remember that the primary care or home care provider, or community resource agencies can provide follow up teaching.
  
• Ensure that the need for further teaching is communicated to the appropriate follow-up care giver or agency providing services.
  
• Begin collaborating with other disciplines early in the teaching process.
  
• Let the patient's questions guide your teaching.
  
• Have the patient review written resources or a video before you teach.
  
• Teach the patient during routine care.
  
• Use pictures and models to facilitate understanding.
  
• Teach in short sessions 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
  
• Document your teaching to promote communication and evaluation of learning.
  
• Schedule teaching during family visits, with the patient's permission, to promote family participation and support.
  
• Use group teaching sessions for patients with similar teaching needs
  
• Divide specific teaching responsibilities among staff.