The Importance of Patient Education in Healthcare

Author: Matthew Vaughn, CCMA

The Importance of Patient Education in Healthcare

As medical assistants, we spend a significant amount of time with patients—often more than the provider does during their visit. This gives us the unique opportunity to build trust and establish ourselves as valuable resources for information. While patients might initially see us as the ones who take their vital signs or gather their history, our role in educating them is just as critical to their overall care.

Patient education is a cornerstone of healthcare. Though we aren’t providers, we work closely with them every day and become familiar with the treatments they prescribe, the labs they order, and how those labs influence medication or lifestyle recommendations. To be effective educators, it’s essential that medical assistants research and understand these topics. The goal isn’t just to pass along information but to ensure that the information is tailored to the patient in a way that’s both understandable and actionable.

Building Confidence and Knowledge

For new medical assistants, this can seem daunting at first. Before calling a patient with results or explaining a treatment plan, it’s important to take time to feel comfortable and confident in your knowledge. Researching conditions, lab values, medications, and their mechanisms is a critical step in becoming a reliable resource for patients. This confidence comes across in your communication, which helps patients trust what you’re saying.

Equally important is knowing how to tailor your explanation to the individual. Different patients have different levels of health literacy. For instance, if you’re calling a nurse with lab results, they might already understand terms like “A1c” or “lipid panel.” But if you’re calling a farmer or someone without a medical background, it’s often better to avoid medical jargon. Instead of saying “A1c,” you might explain it as “a measure of your average blood sugar over the past few months.” Breaking things down in relatable terms ensures that patients not only hear the information but truly understand it.

Explaining the Why Behind Recommendations

One of the most effective ways to motivate patients is by explaining the “why” behind your advice. For example, if you’re discussing cholesterol, it’s more impactful to say, “High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, which increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke,” rather than simply, “You need to cut back on fried foods.” Patients are far more likely to take their health seriously when they understand the consequences of not following recommendations.

This applies to nearly every type of result or health condition. For instance, if you’re calling a patient about low vitamin D levels, don’t just tell them to take a supplement. Explain that vitamin D is essential for bone health and energy, and that a deficiency can lead to brittle bones or fatigue. This additional context helps patients see the bigger picture and gives them a reason to act.

Acknowledging Patient Struggles

Empathy is another key component of effective patient education. It’s important to acknowledge the challenges patients might face when implementing lifestyle changes. For example, if you’re advising someone to cut back on sugary or fatty foods, recognize that the holidays or other life circumstances might make this difficult. Instead of delivering a list of strict recommendations, try saying, “I know it’s the holiday season and it can be hard to avoid all the delicious food, but let’s try to make small changes where we can. This will help reduce your risk of X, Y, or Z.” Showing that you understand their struggles makes your advice more relatable and achievable.

The Impact of Patient Education

When patients feel educated, they’re more likely to adhere to treatment plans, follow recommendations, and ultimately achieve better health outcomes. Taking the time to explain what’s happening with their health, why it matters, and how they can take action fosters a sense of empowerment. It also builds trust between the patient and the medical assistant, which is invaluable in creating open lines of communication.

This trust means patients will feel more comfortable reaching out to you with questions, and that’s okay—even if you don’t have all the answers. As medical assistants, we’re part of a larger team, and we can always consult with providers for clarification. The important thing is that the patient feels heard, supported, and confident in the care they’re receiving.

Conclusion

Patient education is much more than just delivering lab results or instructions—it’s about creating a partnership between the patient and their healthcare team. By building your knowledge, tailoring your communication to the individual, and explaining the importance behind each recommendation, you can motivate patients to take an active role in their health. This not only improves their outcomes but also strengthens the trust they place in you as their medical assistant.