Development and evaluation of "Patient Education Record" for structured documentation of patient education process

Documenting patient education (PE) in patient''s records is an important tool for validating educational interventions to support the legal rights of both patient and clinical experts. The aim of this study was development and evaluation of a structured «Patient Education Record» for complete documentation of PE process. This methodological research، carried out in Alzahra University Hospital in Isfahan (2012 to 2014). Through organizing three groups of central، steering and feedback groups and purposeful sampling، 256 professionals and experts participated in this study. Two stages of development and evaluation of the form was conducted with gathering 24 series of primary participants'' feedbacks and viewpoints consisting 49 field notes، 11 interviews and 52 reports during 9 months pilot period accompanied with six series of secondary feedbacks. Qualitative content analysis was done for evaluation of advantages and inhibitors of the form until achieving data saturation and approval revised form. Primary PE record، developed in a structured format with a header of patient''s profile، followed by four tables of educational services from admission to discharge time with 9 columns of subtitles for filling in full PE process through footnote abbreviations. Revised form developed during pilot period، consists fewer abbreviations with four tables of initial assessment as well as teaching records from admission to home care by both clinical professionals and physicians. Drugs considerations and recommendations transferred to discharge card. Education inhibitors consist of the complexity and disorientation of clinical professionals with primary form as well as lack of time، manpower، skill and educational media. Advantages of PE record for the organization، patients، and clinical experts were explained in two categories، six axial codes and 43 secondary codes. «Patient Education Record»، facilitated complete documentation and implementation of PE process. The developed form would be useful for recording patients'' education in other hospitals