Patient education principles practice authors sally h rankin karen duffy stallings edition 4 illustrated publisher lippincott 2001 original from the university of michigan. Make sure the patient understands the medications as you administer them make sure they understand how and when to refill medications provide patients with information about signs and symptoms of their condition that will require immediate attention five strategies for success teaching patients is an important aspect of nursing care whether teaching a new mom how to bathe a newborn baby or instructing an adult who is living with a chronic heart disease a successful outcome . Another key principle of learning is motivation make learning fun interesting engaging and of value to the client the last thing is probably the most important one if clients see the value of. Patient education and the activation of their support systems can improve treatment compliance decrease complications and enhance patient reported outcomes and experience patients should possess the requisite knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to their care the american board of medical specialties and the accreditation council for graduate medical education have emphasized the critically important role of patients within the health care team