Slide 38

Additional Teaching Tips*

1. Use visual aids and illustrations
2. Beware of words with multiple meanings
3. Avoid acronyms and other new words
4. Use idioms carefully
5. Provide a health context for numbers and mathematical concepts
6. Take a pause
7. Be an active listener
8. Address quizzical looks
9. Create a welcoming and supportive environment

* www.pfizerhealthliteracy.com/public-health-professional/tips

Notes:

Additional tips:

• Draw simple diagrams when they are helpful. Some people learn visually.
• Clarify the meaning of word that may have double meanings, such as stool, gait, discharge, dressing, etc.
• Say or write an acronym like CAT scan or HDL the first time you use it and explain the meaning.
• Ask the patient if he or she is "feeling sad" instead "feeling blue."
• Do not just give test results in numbers, explain what the results mean. Tell the patient if the results are high, low, good, bad, or in the normal range.
• Speak slowly and give the patient time to think and ask questions.
• Encourage the patient to talk and tell his or her story.
• Follow up if the patient's facial expression suggests he or she is confused.
• Provide a private environment to encourage dialogue.

Module 3 addresses additional teaching techniques and teach-back, which is a method for assessing whether the patient really understands what you've been teaching.